Dingwall pensioner's car struck schoolgirl near secondary school, Highland court told

A PENSIONER didn't see a pupil crossing the road in front of her as she dropped off her grand-daughter at Dingwall Academy.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the car drifted forward and struck the pupil, pushing her three metres along Craig Road for three to five seconds.

Sheriff Gary Aitken was told that the girl slapped her hands down on 69-year-old Irene Mackay's bonnet and she stopped to allow the girl to cross.

But Mrs Mackay, of West Drive, Dingwall didn't stop to give her victim her details on the morning of January 24 this year and police later charged her with careless driving and failing to stop.

She admitted both offences, was fined £640 and had her driving licence endorsed with five penalty points.

Defending, Patrick O'Dea said: "She was looking in the direction of the school after dropping off her grand-daughter and doesn't know why she didn't put on her hand brake. It must have been the camber on the road which caused her car to move forward.

"She mouthed to the child 'are you OK?', the child gestured so she drove off. She apologises for her momentary lapse of concentration."

Sheriff Aitken told Mackay: "You always need to pay full attention when driving."