Woman spared jail after fatal accident

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Cheryl Daly would have had a view of up to 150 metres before hitting 86-year-old Lily Doudic as she crossed Bursledon Road.

But Frank Richardson, prosecuting, said: “She did not slow down at all because the defendant has said from the very beginning that she did not see her.

“If she had, she would have stopped in time.”

In fact, the court was told, witnesses heard the mum-of-two say after “did I hit something?”

Mrs Doudic, of Chettle Road, Southampton, died at the scene, near the junction of KFC restaurant and The Range shop in Thornhill.

Investigators estimate Daly was driving her Vauxhall Vectra at up to 37mph in the 30mph zone, he said.

‘Distressed’ Daly, of Holcroft Road, Southampton, admitted causing death by careless driving relating to the collision in April.

But district judge Lorraine Morgan stepped back from imposing a custodial sentence, instead imposing a 12-month community order, requiring 250 hours’ unpaid work.

She also imposed a three- year driving ban.

But she said: “This sentence is not intending to put a value on her [Mrs Doudic’s] life, I want the family to understand that.

“Mrs Daly is a woman of 48, with a completely good character. She was distressed and remains distressed about what happened. It is also very important that she pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“A prison sentence is available to me, this would undoubtedly punish her but it would serve no purpose in protecting the public or deterring others.”

Simon Jones, defending, said: “Mrs Daly spends a great deal of her time thinking back wondering what she could have done. But she does not want to diminish the responsibility for what she has done.” Tributes after the accident by Mrs Doudic’s daughters, Julie Butt and Margaret Crocker, said: “Mum was great fun, she had a great sense of humour.

“She loved her family and idolised her grandchildren. She was a very popular lady and will be sorely missed.”