Ballymoney driver who caused death of pedestrian in Eurospar car park given suspended prison sentence
A north Antrim pensioner who admitted causing the death of a woman by careless driving has been given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
Sentencing Isobel Dunlop at Antrim Crown Court, Judge Sandra Crawford told the 84-year-old her offence crossed the custodial threshold.
She added however, that given the background to the case, including the defendant’s clear record, guilty plea and genuine remorse, it justified an exceptional approach and therefore the sentence would be suspended.
On the morning she was due to go on trial earlier this month, Dunlop, from Postboys Walk, Ballymoney, entered a guilty plea to causing the death of Sandra Cooper on December 6, 2021 by driving carelessly in the car park of Eurospar on John Street, Ballymoney.
Defence KC Ronan Lavery said while he had lodged written submissions in advance of the plea and sentence, his client wanted him to express publicly “her sincere apologies and condolences” to Mrs Cooper’s family.
Mrs Cooper’s son and daughter looked on from the public gallery as Judge Crawford thanked them for their poignant victim impact statements.
She said the statements made it clear how 64-year-old Mrs Cooper was a much-loved mother and grandmother, whose tragic death caused a “devastating loss”.
"I recognise the immense pain that they have suffered and the enormous hurt that exists in their lives,” said the judge.
Turning to the case, she outlined that around 4.30pm Mrs Cooper was walking across the car park towards her own vehicle.
Dunlop had been in the shop too and reversed her Hyundai out of a space but when she went to drive forwards, her car’s front nearside struck Mrs Cooper.
The court heard that in an incident captured on CCTV, it was clear the victim became lodged under the Hyundai but unaware of this, Dunlop tried to drive backwards and forwards trying to dislodge her car.
"Those efforts continued for 37 seconds when the defendant then got out of her car and inspected the obstruction,” Judge Crawford said, adding that once she realised there was a person under her car, the pensioner summoned help.
Emergency services were called and once Mrs Cooper was freed, efforts to resuscitate her began but sadly, she suffered a cardiac arrest.
The judge said a doctor had opined death was due to hypoxic brain injury associated with the collision.
Dunlop, the court heard, “co-operated fully” with the police investigation “but could not explain why she did not see the deceased”.
Judge Crawford said it was clear that by causing Mrs Cooper’s death, “the harm in this case is high” but regarding her culpability, the case “is in the middle category” between momentary inattention and being close to dangerous driving.
The judge said the defendant “should have paid closer attention”, especially in an area where “pedestrians were highly likely to be walking”.
Although there was no pre-sentence report, defence highlighted Dunlop had a blemish-free driving record since 1966, had worked for more than 30 years in the civil service and currently is treasurer of a community group for the elderly.
In addition to the suspended prison sentence, Judge Crawford also imposed an 18-month driving ban, ordering the defendant to re-sit her test before getting back on the road.
The court heard, however, that Dunlop “has no desire” to resume driving.