A WIDOW who was hit by a motorist has said the injuries have left her unable to leave the house and made her wish "the driver had done a better job".

The emotional statement by Janine Russell was read out in court, where she her life has "changed drastically" and does not know "if it will be the same again".

NHS worker Nicola Ash, of Calwell Close in Shaftesbury appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 27.

She was charged with causing serious injury by careless/inconsiderate driving.

The charge refers to an incident on January 6, 2024 in Shaftesbury, where Ash caused serious injury by Janine Russell by driving a car on Longmead in Shaftesbury without due care and attention.

Ash, 50, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said: “On January 6 at around 8.40am police were called to a road traffic collision at Longmead between a pedestrian and a car.

“The victim was crossing the road with a Rollator walking aid near Ivy Cross services on Longmead.

“She suffered injuries including a fracture and dislocation of her left ankle and had two surgeries.

“Police attended and Ash attened Blandford Police Station where she said she was the registered owner of the car and said she had clear visibility.

“She said there may have been a blind spot, she checked the road after leaving the service station.

“She got out to check on the woman she hit, two people came to assist, Ash called the ambulance, she said she was very sorry for the collision.

“It appears to have been a momentary loss of concentration.

“Following the serious injury of her ankle, the victim spent eight weeks in Salisbury Hospital.”

In a victim impact statement, read out to the court by Ms Reece, the victim said: “Before the accident, I was confident and outgoing.

“I am a widow and I live alone.

“I have osteo-arthritis which restricts my mobility, I don’t drive but I usually walk short distances every day with the help of my Rollator.

“Since the accident, my life has changed drastically and I don’t know if it will be the same again.

“I have frequent flashbacks, mostly of lying on the road with a man standing over me and I try to move my foot, causing intense pain.

“I cannot sleep at night and I sometimes wish the driver had done a better job.

“Initially I was in hospital for eight weeks, I had a fall and I had to be back in hospital for another three weeks.

“I felt useless and upset about losing my dignity.

“I have been back and forth to hospital ten times, I have to rely on hospital transport and it takes up my whole day.

“I was confident and I used to walk every other day. Since I was injured, I have not been out alone anywhere.

“I have not been to the shops and I rely on online deliveries.

“I am on painkillers daily, I am uncomfortable if I sit or lie for a long period of time.

“I don’t know if my inures will improve.”

The court heard from a surgeon at the hospital that the victim had a reasonable chance of regaining her abilities before the crash.

Lee Christmas, mitigating, said: “After the crash, Ash stopped, she got out and assisted the victim, she called 999.

“She was coming up to the junction and hadn’t seen the lady crossing the road.

“It has to be a momentary lapse in concentration and she accepts that.

“She has no previous convictions and is of previous good character.

“She has been driving since she was 18 and does not have any points on her licence.

“She works for the NHS.”

Alan Bennett, chair of the Magistrates bench, said: “We give full credit for your immediate actions after the accident and full acceptance of your failure to normal standards of driving and your attention to Miss Russell.

“Indeed any driver can recognise a momentary lapse in concentration.

“The consequences were serious and it is clear it has had a major impact on the victim both in the short term and the long term.”

Ash was ordered to pay a fine of £369, sur charge of £148 and court costs of £85.

She was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.