Van driver knocked over woman, 98

Patrick Finlay, 39, of Wright Street, Wesham, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.

He was fined £95 with £43 costs plus £20 victims’ surcharge and had three penalty points put on his driving licence by Blackpool magistrates.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police were called to an accident on Poulton Street, Kirkham, about 11am on April 20. Finlay had parked his transit van on double yellow lines to go to a cashpoint.

He returned, reversed and collided with pensioner, Jane Forshaw, who was knocked to the ground. A check by ambulance crew members revealed she was not injured.

Finlay’s rear window view was obscured by a board, as he was carrying building materials and he could only use the door mirrors.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, told magistrates his client, who had no previous convictions, said there was no-one there when he got into the van.

Finlay was reversing very slowly, but there was a blind spot. He felt he had nudged something and got out.

He had been offered the chance of taking the driver improvement course.

If he had done the course he would not have had to come to court, but he felt he could not take a day off work.

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