Pensioner jailed for dangerous driving

Carol Carter, who is 60 today, dragged her victim along the road beneath her car when she failed to stop after two earlier collisions.

The retired operating theatre nurse was sent to prison for six months yesterday after a judge told her the offence was so severe only immediate custody could be imposed.

Victim Marie Cunningham suffered life-changing injuries in the incident after she was trapped beneath the wheels of Carter’s Audi TT.

Leeds Crown court heard the incident happened outside a shop at the junction of Pepper Lane and Derbyshire Street, Hunslet, Leeds, on February 8 last year.

Carter reversed her automatic vehicle around a corner and struck Mrs Cunningham’s husband car, which was parked while she went inside the shop.

Mr Cunningham got out of his vehicle and approached Carter’s car. He asked her to pull over but she put the vehicle in reverse again and struck his car for a second time.

Mr Cunningham then told her to get out of the car but she opened the driver’s door and reversed again.

By this time Mrs Cunningham had left the shop and was struck when Carter suddenly reversed at speed. The car then went over her leg and she was dragged along.

Mrs Cunningham required surgery and suffered a blot clot and an infection. She is still receiving counselling over the incident.

Carter, of Castle Lodge Avenue, Rothwell, Leeds, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

The court heard she had spent over 30 years in a “demanding and intensive” job as an operating theatre and has no previous convictions. At the time of the offence she had been suffering from depression.