A DRIVER whose car was said to be unfit for the road and was in an accidental collision with an 87-year-old pedestrian who later died has been sentenced by a judge.

Scott Anthony Mark Horn, 28, of Murton View, Appleby, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

The court heard of the tragic aftermath of the crash which occurred in “dull and rainy conditions” on Bridge Lane, Penrith, at about 9.30am on December 18, 2018.

Horn was driving his black Ford Focus as he travelled with two passengers southbound to work when June Godwin stepped out into the road.

Mrs Godwin suffered a bleed on the brain and died at Penrith hospital on January 27 2019 after contracting bronchopneumonia as a complication of her treatment.

Horn, a farmer, stopped the vehicle and held and umbrella over Mrs Godwin’s head while others attended to her.

Horn’s vehicle was later seized by police and they discovered a number of faults.

Prosecutor Beth Pilling explained how three tyres were in poor condition, there were no front and rear screen wipers and one headlight was defective.

Miss Pilling said: “Clearly it would have been obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving the vehicle in this state for over 13 miles in steady rain would be dangerous.”

The court were told Horn’s wipers had been removed two days earlier by an ex-partner following a break-up and the car was booked in for repairs later that week.

In a statement, Mrs Godwin’s daughter, Lindsey Houlding, said: “I would like it noted my brother and I do not hold the driver responsible for the death of our mother.”

He was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete an electronically monitored night-time curfew for two months, as well as 150 hours’ unpaid work.

Recorder Ciaran Rankin said: “This is a remarkably sad case for virtually everyone involved. However the car was unroadworthy and you knew that.”