An 84-year-old farmer who broke a charity walker’s foot after hitting her with his large 4x4 has been fined £740 and banned from the roads.
Alexander Mitchell struck Claire McCulloch as she started a sponsored walk up Tinto Hill in Lanarkshire to raise funds for a good cause.
He was checking animals when he failed to spot her at the back of the group of walkers on a single track road and left her lying on the ground in agony.
Horrified members of the public had to shout at him to stop as he continued moving after striking her in July last year.
McCulloch was left with three broken bones in her right foot but has made a full recovery.
Mitchell told police he had been driving at 5mph and there wasn’t enough room on the road.
He was charged with dangerous driving but pled guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving at Lanark Sheriff Court.
The pensioner, of Biggar, Lanarkshire, was banned for a year and fined £740 by Sheriff Nikola Stewart.
Depute fiscal Toni Hicks said:“The accused was slowly moving forward in his vehicle and one of the other walkers had to shout to get him to stop and made him aware of what had happened.
“When told what had happened he responded, ‘I never done anything’.”
Sheriff Stewart said: “My concern is public safety and I do not know why you didn’t see her.
“It may well be to do with your age rather than any inabilities but you failed to see this lady and you hit her which is a worry and I’m going to have to disqualify you from driving for that.”
The sheriff urged Mitchell to consider giving up his licence permanently.
