A MOTORIST who admitted causing the death of an elderly pedestrian she collided with, while he was crossing a road, has escaped a prison sentence.

Anne Patterson was warned, “all sentencing options remain open, including custody”, when she admitted causing the death of Eric Rose by careless driving, at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, in October.

She was at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta which struck Mr Rose as he was using a zebra crossing on Park Road, at about 6.45am on Thursday January 16.

The 79-year-old local man suffered head injuries and was initially assisted by eye-witnesses at the scene before the arrival of ambulance paramedics.

He taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where his death was confirmed on Saturday February 1.

The road for three hours as police inquiries took place at the scene.

Sentence was adjourned by Judge James Adkin for preparation of a probation background report.

Judge Adkin warned that she may, still, face a custodial sentence.

But, after reading the probation report, Judge Adkin passed a 12-month community order, with 200-hours’ unpaid work.

The 64-year-old defendant, of Wardle Street, Stanley, was also ordered to pay £350 costs, plus a £90 statutory court surcharge, and she was banned from driving for two years.