A DRIVER aged 95 has avoided jail after she ploughed into and killed a dogwalker while eyeing up an empty disabled space.

Joan Barwick was “simply not looking at what was in front of her” when she drove into grandmother Linda Wareham.

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Joan Barwick was spared a jail sentence Credit: SWNS

Linda was crossing the road when she was struck Credit: SWNS

The pensioner had been turning right into a petrol station forecourt in Oldswinford in the West Midlands as Linda, 77, was crossing.

Barwick had seven seconds to see the pedestrian before the collision, but was focused on a disabled parking space that she had spotted was free.

Tragically, Linda suffered catastrophic head injuries and her life support was turned off the next day.

Her tearful husband and daughter left the courtroom as CCTV footage of the moment she was struck was played.

Barwick appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court today wearing a purple cardigan and using a walking stick.

The defendant was allowed to sit in the well of the court instead of in the dock so she could hear proceedings.

She pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving but was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Barwick was also banned from driving for ten years and ordered to pay £705 of prosecution costs.

Judge Michael Chambers KC said a period in custody would have a “significant impact” on the pensioner.

The court was told the horror unfolded on April 17 last year as Barwick “not paying proper attention to what was in front of her”.

Prosecution counsel Tim Harrington said: “She was driving at an appropriate speed and had slowed down to 10mph but that should have meant she would see any pedestrian crossing her path, so Mrs Barwick was simply not looking at what was in front of her.

“Instead, she was looking towards an available parking space on (the) forecourt.

“As she drove slowly into the garage, she didn’t see Mrs Wareham, who was walking quite normally with her dog.

“She was driving at such a speed that she would have been able to stop had she seen her, perhaps making this all the more tragic.”

The court heard Barwick, who was 94 at the time of the collision, had an “unblemished” driving record but Linda was a vulnerable road user who had right of way.

Defending, Paul Lewis said Barwick had “genuine remorse” for what had happened and had surrendered her driving licence following the fatal collision.

In a victim impact statement, Linda’s husband Peter said the couple had met at the age of 15 and had shared 60 years together.

He added: “She was caring and selfless… She was good fun and independent.

“She enjoyed a life of good health.

“All that ended on the 18th of April when my wife was cruelly taken.”

Barwick admitted causing death by dangerous driving Credit: SWNS