Driver, 86, ran over three people

An 86-year-old driver who mounted a pavement seriously injuring three people should not have been driving, a judge has said.

In a hearing at Norwich Crown Court, Allan Skoyles, of Victoria Road, Gorleston, admitted dangerous driving.

He hit a woman and an elderly couple in the crash in Gorleston, Norfolk, on 25 February this year.

Judge Peter Jacobs sentenced Skoyles to eights months in prison, suspended for one year, and fined him £2,000.

The judge was told Skoyles was deaf, had had a stroke in 2001 and had had eight by-pass operations.

'Sentencing nightmare'

Judge Jacobs said he was surprised there was no independent check on elderly drivers.

The prosecution said Skoyles hit Emma Woolnough on Lowestoft Road, resulting in her losing part of her leg. She now regularly uses a wheelchair.

He also struck Arthur Willett, who has since died, and his wife Joyce. She suffered four fractures to her pelvis and remains in hospital.

Judge Jacobs said: "This is a sentencing nightmare. He should not have been driving. This is absolutely devastating.

"You should not have been in that car. You simply pressed the wrong pedal and it sped on, striking three people.

"The problem is people out there are not going to say they are no longer fit to drive."

Skoyles was banned from driving for three years and must take an extended test.

Alan Wheetman, defending, said Skoyles had handed in his driving licence and had not driven since the accident.