Pensioner is oldest woman in UK to be convicted of dangerous driving

A pensioner who became the oldest woman in Britain to be convicted of dangerous driving has today avoided being sent to jail. 

Wheelchair-bound June Mills, 96, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, admitted causing the death of Brenda Joyce, 76, on Elbow Lane in Formby on August 2 last year.

Mills killed the pensioner when she 'applied too much acceleration' and caused her  Vauxhall Corsa to mount a pavement, trapping her underneath the vehicle. 

Mrs Joyce suffered a serious head injury and died at the scene, while another pedestrian, 80-year-old Jennifer Ensor, suffered slight injuries. 

But she was today spared jail for the horror crash and instead handed an 18-month suspended prison term, with a judge telling her: 'You have lost your good character.' 

Mills was also handed a five year driving ban and fined £1,500. 

Sentencing her at Liverpool Crown Court today, Judge Simon Medland KC said: 'On any view and from every angle this case is an utter tragedy.

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'Mrs Joyce died, Mrs Ensor was injured, you have lost your good character and are in the dock of Liverpool Crown Court.'

Robert Dudley, prosecuting, told the court Mrs Joyce and Mrs Ensor had been walking along the pavement after leaving the bridge club, which they attended with Mills, when the collision happened.

Mills, who was in a wheelchair and wore a green fleece and tartan blanket over her knees for the hearing, told police in a prepared statement her accelerator pedal felt as if it had 'dropped to the floor' as she manoeuvred round a parked car and she had 'shot forward'.

She said: 'It all happened very quickly and there were people in front of me but I could not avoid hitting them because the car was going so fast I had no control over it.'

The court heard Mrs Joyce's husband did not support the prosecution.

In a statement which was read to the court, Mrs Ensor said she suffered minor physical injuries, including tendon damage which prevented her from playing a full round of golf, and had a 'sense of guilt' at having survived.

What does the law say on pensioners driving? 

Drivers have to renew their licence once they reach the age of 70, and then every three years thereafter. 

Those applying have to make a health declaration, and confirm that they meet the minimum eyesight requirement and aren't prevented from driving for 'any reason'.

People's driving ability may have to be assessed if they declare that they have a health condition or disability. 

But there is currently no requirement in Britain to retake your test at any age.

Sources: DVLA and Age UK

Tom Gent, defending, said: 'This is plainly a dreadfully sad case. 

'Mrs Mills, the defendant, is extremely sorry for what happened. The consequences will haunt her forever. She feels great shame and guilt.'

He said the former careers advisor, who surrendered her driving licence following the crash, had previously been involved in voluntary work with victims of crime and young offenders.

He added: 'Recently she has housed, and continues to house, Ukrainian refugees.'

He said she now accepted she must have mistakenly applied too much acceleration which caused her car to lurch forward and mount the kerb.

Judge Medland said, with credit for a guilty plea made at an earlier hearing, the starting point for her sentence would be 18 months in prison.

He said: 'Bearing in mind the imposition guidelines, the pre-sentence reports, the abundance of references and, if I might add, plain common sense, it would not profit anybody to make that an immediate sentence, nor would that be a just outcome.'

He suspended the sentence for 18 months.

Mills, of Broadway Close, Ainsdale, Merseyside, was ordered to pay a £1,500 fine and £500 prosecution costs and was disqualified from driving for five years. 

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Detective Sergeant Andy Roper, of Merseyside Police, said in a police statement released after the court hearing that he hoped it provided 'at least a little closure' to Mrs Joyce's family. 

'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Brenda's family and friends as they continue to come to terms with the tragic events of last August,' he said. 

'This was a complex and difficult investigation which has led to today's sentence at court.

'While nothing can bring Brenda back, we hope that this outcome helps their recovery and provides at least a little closure.

'June Mills has been dealt with by the courts and while we appreciate the unusual and sensitive circumstances of this case and the interest it has generated, we would ask that all parties are given privacy now the case has come to its conclusion.'