Lady Zetland guilty of careless driving
AN ARISTOCRAT has said she has not been “put off” the road after being cleared of dangerous driving, but found guilty of careless driving, following a three-car smash on a busy highway near Scotch Corner.
Lady Susan Zetland, of Aske Hall, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, denied the dangerous driving charge.
The court heard there had been a contraflow put in place and cones indicating cars should only turn left.
After three hours of deliberation, the jury at Teesside Crown Court cleared her of the more serious charge.
She said: “I’m delighted and relieved. It’s not something I want to go through again.
“It’s not put me off driving, I’m glad it’s over.”
The 77-year-old was hit by a Nissan Qashqai after she pulled out in front of it in July last year after she tried to cross the A66, near Scotch Corner, Richmond.
She told the court her memory was “fuzzy” about the incident, adding: “I did not realise I had made the decision to go because the next thing I knew I had been hit.”
Rod Hunt, defending, told the court two of the signs on the approach to the A66 had been incorrect as they said there was no access to the road at all.
A jury cleared her of dangerous driving, but found her guilty of careless driving.
Judge Howard Crowson said he completely agreed with the verdict.
He fined her £500 and placed six points on her licence.