Knocked-down Tarbert OAP suffered appalling injuries

A driver who knocked down a 76-year-old woman in Tarbert was fined £450 and given seven penalty points.

Lynne Alexandra MacFie, 50, of 1 High Park, Tarbert, pleaded guilty at Campbeltown Sheriff Court last Thursday, February 7, to one charge of driving without due care and attention or consideration towards other people at 2.35pm on May 9 last year. The charge further stated MacFie failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to adjust her speed for the road conditions, or comply with road markings and collided with a pedestrian, causing her to fall to the ground to her severe injury.

Procurator fiscal depute Eoin McGinty told the court that at the time of the accident the complainer was walking slowly, aided by a stick. MacFie was turning into Harbour Street from School Road when she hit the pedestrian, who was thrown onto the road. The complainer suffered multiple fractures and can only walk round her home with the help of a zimmer frame.

In a statement to the police, MacFie, who gave a negative breath test, stated she had slammed on her brakes before the pensioner disappeared from her view.

MacFie’s defence solicitor, Stephen MacSporran, said she had been very distressed by the accident, had a good record and had never had so much as a parking ticket in the past. He asked Sheriff Patrick Hughes to consider a fine and points as MacFie relies on her car.

During sentencing, Sheriff Hughes said: ‘The complainer suffered severe and appalling injuries which are particularly serious for someone of her age.’ He added there is no doubt MacFie’s driving had fallen far below acceptable standards.