Joiner who knocked down elderly woman 'just did not see her' court told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Terry Spencer (30) had bald tyres on his Ford Transit van and the MOT had run out when he struck Margaret Atherton on Red Lion Street, at its junction with Cross Street, on January 9th. The victim suffered minor injuries after being hit by his wing mirror.

Spencer, of Mytton View, Clitheroe, admitted driving without due care and attention, no test certificate and using a passenger vehicle with tyres with insufficient tread. He was fined £80, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge and received three points on his licence. The bench said it had been a momentary lapse of concentration and the defendant did stop and assist.

Prosecutor Mrs Alex Mann told the court the condition of the defendant’s vehicle had no bearing on the accident. It was caused by driver error.

Mrs Mann said police were called to the Burnley accident at about 10.30am and found the victim being comforted at the scene. The defendant had remained there and co-operated with all inquiries.

The prosecutor continued: “He said that he stopped at the line, heard a bang on the driver’s wing mirror and saw the lady lying in the road. He said ‘I just must not have seen her.’”

Mrs Mann said there was no suggestion Spencer was speeding. She added: “It seems he was not paying full attention at the time of the accident.”

Spencer, who was not represented by a solicitor, said the vehicle now had all the correct documentation and legal tyres.

He told the hearing: “I was pulling out from the junction. I had seen the lady on the pavement coming up to the junction. I stopped, I looked both ways and as I have pulled out she has stepped out at the same time. I have caught her with my wing mirror. Thankfully, she was OK.”

Spencer said a traffic warden who was nearby and a passer-by helped the victim. He added: “I just stood to the side. I had struck her and I didn’t want to distress her.”