A new driver who reversed her car into a pensioner and killed her has been spared prison after the victim’s family asked the judge to show mercy.
Devoted church-goer Barbara Slingsby, 83, was crossing the road on her way home after attending a Sunday morning service when guilt-wracked Amber Hall’s Volkswagen Polo hit her at the junction of Westfield Lane and Cockshott Lane in Idle.
Bradford Crown Court heard on Thursday that during the low-speed collision in July 2022, Mrs Slingsby suffered multiple fractures and “catastrophic chest injuries” from which she died in hospital the next day.
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Hall, who had only passed her driving test 10 months before the tragedy, is said to be “wracked with remorse” by her actions. She initially thought she had hit a rock or a wall as she performed the reversing manoeuvre, but she then became extremely upset when she realised what had happened.
Hall, of Norman Crescent, Idle, remained at the scene and told another woman she was really sorry and didn’t see the great-grandmother.
During a police interview Hall, who had no previous convictions, said she had parked by the cricket club but wasn’t sure if she was allowed to do so and decided to move her car to somewhere with more room. She said she believed that she had checked her mirrors and did not see Mrs Slingsby.
Mrs Slingsby had been the sole carer for her husband and he subsequently passed away in April last year while the investigation into her death was still ongoing.
Hall pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving at the magistrates court last November and on Thursday Judge Jonathan Rose imposed a two-year community order, which includes 200 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
The judge said “a momentary lapse” by Hall had resulted in the tragedy and he referred to a victim impact statement which indicated that the family of Mrs Slingsby could see no benefit in her being sent to prison.
It suggested that any community service work given to Hall should be carried out for local groups in a fitting tribute to Mrs Slingsby.
The court heard that the statement spoke volumes for the family of Mrs Slingsby and a short prison sentence would serve no useful purpose. Judge Rose said: “It is abundantly clear to me Hall that you are a young woman wracked with remorse for what you have done.”
He added that the collision was the result of a momentary combination of factors which had tragic consequences, but he could not accept that Hall had checked fully before reversing her vehicle.
As a new driver at the time of the fatal collision Hall now faces having her driving licence revoked, but Judge Rose also imposed a two-year driving ban.
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