Woman sentenced over mobility scooter crash death

A great-grandmother who caused the death of a mobility scooter rider in a crash on a toucan crossing has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Ann Fletcher, 85, of Hallfield Crescent, Honington, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to causing the death of Mark Jackson, 61, by careless driving.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Jackson died after a collision on Broad Street, Grantham on 14 August 2024, involving a red Ford Fusion which Fletcher was driving.

She was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. She was also banned from driving for two years and must take an extended retest.

Prosecutor Dale Brook said Fletcher was turning right from North Street into Broad Street when she collided with Jackson.

Investigations showed Jackson was using the toucan crossing while it was still on red and had not pressed the button.

Brook said Fletcher's view was initially obscured by another pedestrian and then the A-frame in her car but she failed to move her head.

"After Mr Jackson became visible, she did not apply her brakes," Brook said.

He accepted Fletcher had a "momentary lapse of concentration".

Jackson suffered serious injuries to his ribs and pelvis. He died in hospital the next day.

Brook said the fact Jackson, who had both legs amputated in 2023, was a "vulnerable road user" was an aggravating factor.

The court heard Fletcher had no vision in the centre of her left eye due to age related degeneration but had a lawful level of vision in her right eye, which met DVLA requirements.

Victim impact statements from Jackson's two sisters and two of his children were read out in court.

Jackson's sister, Julie, said he was a "warm and intelligent man." She said he was a skilled joiner who loved botany and birds.

His other sister, Lucy, said she thinks about her brother every day.

Jackson's teenage son described how it felt "like my heart had stopped" when he heard about the collision.

Jackson's daughter said: "Life has not been the same since dad passed away.

"Now, without him, there is this constant feeling of uncertainty."

Tom Gent, mitigating for Fletcher, said the collision had "haunted her daily".

"This defendant is consumed with remorse," Gent said. "Her heart goes out to Mr Jackson's loved ones."

Fletcher sat with her head bowed as Recorder Luke Blackburn passed sentence.

Blackburn said Jackson did not significantly contribute to the collision and, while he could not say Fletcher's eyesight contributed to the collision, all drivers had a duty to adjust accordingly.

"What I can say is that Mr Jackson was there to be seen," he added.

"He was conspicuously a vulnerable road user. His disability was there for all to see."

Blackburn said he was convinced Fletcher was consumed by "remorse and shame" and added it did not merit immediate custody because of her previous good character.

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