A respected former medical professional is starting life as a pensioner behind bars for causing horrific injuries to a woman by driving dangerously.
Carol Carter, 60, dragged her victim along the road beneath her car when she failed to stop after two earlier collisions.
The retired operating theatre nurse was sent to prison for six months after a judge told her the offence was so severe only immediate custody could be imposed.
Victim Marie Cunningham suffered life-changing injuries in the incident after she was trapped beneath Carter’s Audi TT. Leeds Crown Court heard the incident happened outside a shop at the junction of Pepper Lane, Hunslet, on February 8 last year.
Carter reversed her automatic vehicle and struck Mrs Cunningham’s husband’s car.
Mr Cunningham got out and approached Carter’s car but thought she was “in a world of her own.”
He asked her to pull over but she reversed again and struck his car for a second time. Mr Cunningham told her to get out of the car but she opened the driver’s door and reversed again.
As Mrs Cunningham was leaving the shop she was struck as Carter suddenly reversed at speed. She required surgery and suffered a blot clot and an infection. She is still receiving counselling over the incident. Carter, of Castle Lodge Avenue, Rothwell admitted dangerous driving.
She had spent over 30 years in a “demanding and intensive” job as a theatre nurse and has no previous convictions. She had been suffering from depression as a result of the breakdown of her marriage.
Judge Christopher Batty said: “This is a very sad day for me. Undoubtedly it is for you and it is also a sad day for the Cunninghams who had only popped to the shops.”