A PENSIONER was doing a U-turn on a notorious Hampshire road when she killed a biker and his 11-year-old stepdaughter.
Motorcyclist Terry Stubbs and his pillion passenger, Channon Kervern, were riding along a 60mph stretch of the A326 near Hythe on August 23 when Ann Larke pulled out of a layby in her car and the crash happened.
Now Channon’s distraught mother has called for 73-year-old Larke to be jailed when she is sentenced next month after appearing in court to admit two charges of causing death by careless driving.
New Forest Magistrates’ Court heard how Larke pulled out of the lay-by and was turning round in the middle of the road.
Ruth Bowskill, prosecuting, said: “The defendant had taken her dog for a walk and had parked in a lay-by adjacent to the road.
“She pulled out and was performing a U-turn when the accident happened.
“Mr Stubbs and Channon both tragically died at the scene.”
Larke, of Tern Close, Hythe, was also hurt in the accident and was taken to hospital with what were initially thought to be life-threatening injuries, the court heard.
Iain Ross, in mitigation, said: “The defendant pulled out to go home and did not see the motorcycle until it was too late.
“She has been driving since 1959 and has a clean licence.
“This is a tragic case not only for the families of Channon and Mr Stubbs but also for the defendant, who hasn’t driven since.”
Crown court Ms Bowskill said Larke should be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court because of the seriousness of the case.
Her application was opposed by Mr Ross, who said the only aggravating feature was that more than one person was killed in the accident, but magistrates agreed to send the case to the crown court, where Larke will be sentenced on February 5.
After the hearing Channon’s mother Nicol said: “We’re happy with the guilty plea. We can’t believe the driver did what she did. I think she should be given a custodial sentence.”
The deaths of Mr Stubbs and Channon, both of Fawley, devastated their families and sent shockwaves through the Waterside community.
Channon had just finished at Cadland Primary School and was about to enrol at Hardley School and Sixth-Form. Friends said she was a “sweet and happy” girl who loved music.
Mr Stubbs and his stepdaughter are among eight people who have died on the A326 in the past four years.
Last November their relatives joined other residents at a public meeting organised by the Southampton Motor Action Group, which demanded major improvements to the road. Hampshire County Council has since closed the lay-y.
Members of the action group are however planning to stage a mass rally later this month when dozens of bikers will travel to the county council’s headquarters in Winchester to hand in a 1,000-name petition.
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