Woman spared jail for dangerous driving on A343 Newbury Road

Marizilda Wilson, 78, of Little London, Andover, appeared before His Honour Judge Christopher Parker KC at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, July 3, for sentencing after pleading guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on 26 May to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The crash occurred more than three years ago on March 14, 2023, on the A343 Newbury Road near Andover.

Wilson, who was 74 at the time, was driving towards Newbury when she executed a three-point turn on a blind bend, crossing double white lines.

Motorcyclist David Pilkington found her car suddenly on his side of the road, and despite attempting to slow down, there was no time to stop, and he was knocked from his bike.

He was taken from the scene by air ambulance with life-threatening injuries.

The A343 Newbury Road (Image: Google Street View)

The court heard that an eyewitness reported Wilson had mentioned a red warning light on her dashboard at the scene.

Judge Parker said: "It appears to be uncontested that you received a warning from your car — a red light said to stop immediately — and you chose to do a three-point turn on a blind bend on a double white line."

Defence counsel described the manoeuvre as "undoubtedly a substantial lapse in judgement caused by a panicking moment at a light that indicated she ought to stop driving immediately."

In a victim personal statement, Mr Pilkington, who was, until the incident, a motorcycle riding instructor, described the devastating impact on his life.

He suffered a broken pelvis in several places, a broken right arm, a torn rotator cuff and a spinal fracture.

He was placed in a coma for several days, underwent pelvic surgery requiring implants and a right knee replacement, and spent weeks in intensive care before being transferred between Southampton, Salisbury, and Warminster hospitals.

When he eventually returned home, he was bedridden and entirely dependent on his family.

Internal injuries left him with double incontinence, which he said had "severely hurt" his confidence, adding: "I will avoid eating or drinking before leaving the house to mitigate problems."

Even basic tasks such as showering now take three or four times longer than before.

He sleeps in a hospital bed at home and will never ride a motorcycle again.

"I know I will never be the same again," his statement read.

Winchester Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Wilson, who sat in the dock wearing a white top and a shawl, has no previous convictions and was described as a woman of "impeccable character", with character references saying she is "considerate, caring and sensible."

The court heard she is the sole carer for her husband, has battled breast cancer, and underwent spinal surgery during the Covid pandemic.

The case took more than three years to reach sentencing, with prosecutors explaining the delay was due to police waiting for medical evidence.

Judge Parker told Wilson: "The consequences of your driving, which was undoubtedly dangerous, have been enormous for him.

"He has suffered life-altering, long-term injuries.

"The effect on his future health and future income has been devastating.

"A short-term, but dangerous error on your part has had enormous consequences, of which you are well aware.

"You are not going to go to prison today."

He said a trial conviction would likely have resulted in 18 months in custody.

Her early guilty plea reduced that to 12 months, which was suspended for three years.

Wilson was disqualified from driving and must pass an extended test before her licence can be restored.