A WOMAN who broke a man’s leg after driving her car into him as he crossed a zebra crossing has been fined £2,000.
Francisca Cardoso De Figueredo Torres (31) admitted causing serious injury by careless driving after hitting the man with her white Mini on the Esplanade outside Liberation Station. The man required surgery after the accident.
Torres said she had been distracted by the temporary traffic signs in Conway Street. Advocate Katie Ridley, prosecuting, said: “She got out of her car and approached him. She was heard by people apologising several times.”
Police conducted a breath test but no alcohol was found in her system. The victim is expected to make “a full medical recovery”.
Advocate Mark Boothman, defending, pointed out that Torres had been driving at a very low speed and that there were no injuries to the man’s right side and no damage to the car.
He said: “My client’s conduct was exemplary. She called 999 and admitted during the course of the call that the accident was her fault.”
Advocate Boothman added: “She has never been before any court before. She is of exceptionally good character.”
Relief Magistrate David Cardin accepted that Torres was driving very slowly and the offence was down to “a momentary lapse of concentration”.
He agreed not to ban her from driving but fined her £2,000 and endorsed her licence, meaning it will bear a record of the offence for three years.
She has been allowed to pay the fine at the rate of £500 per month.
