A motorist who drove through fencing into a nursery playground while more than 20 children were present has avoided a custodial sentence. Jayne James appeared before Chester Magistrates' Court on Thursday and received a four-month prison term suspended for 12 months.
The 63-year-old, from Knottingley Drive in Great Sutton, had previously admitted to dangerous driving at the same court in August. In addition to the suspended sentence, James received a two-year driving ban.
Crash during morning drop-off
The court heard that on Tuesday 16 June, James was driving a grey Omoda people carrier into the car park of Partou Sunny Days Day Nursery and Pre-school on Vale Road in Ellesmere Port during morning drop-off. The vehicle struck a wooden fence dividing the car park from the play area, where 22 children aged between two and three were present at the time, according to Cheshire Live.
The car ploughed through the play area before striking a brick wall, trapping a two-year-old boy between the front wheel of the vehicle and the wall itself. Two additional children suffered injuries from flying debris as the vehicle smashed through the fence.
Staff action and injuries
A member of staff in the playground at the time swiftly acted and freed the trapped child from beneath the car before alerting the emergency services. All three children were transported to hospital for medical attention and had suffered only minor injuries. They have since been released.
The youngster trapped beneath the car suffered a significant friction burn on their torso. James was detained at the location and placed in custody.
Investigation findings
James informed police that she had been behind the wheel during the collision but could not recall precise details about how the incident unfolded. She explained that she had been operating the vehicle for several months, though she acknowledged that the Omoda - an automatic car - possessed a function whereby it would begin to accelerate if a certain pedal was pressed while it was stationary.
After officers conducted a thorough inspection of the vehicle, it was found to have no mechanical defects that might have caused or played a part in the collision.
Detective Sergeant Amy Hollis, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "The lives of over 20 young children were put at serious risk as a result of James' inability to control her vehicle. Three of them were injured, one of them was trapped between the vehicle and a brick wall, all of them were left scared."
"Despite the distressing nature of the incident, I would like to give the members of staff who helped get the children to safety, as well as the attending Cheshire Police and emergency service colleagues who managed the scene my profound thanks for their efforts. The outcome could have been very different."
Hollis added: "I am very glad to hear that all the children injured in the collision both directly and indirectly have been discharged from hospital and have since made a full physical recovery. That being said, they and their families continue to be supported by our partner agencies as a result of the emotional and psychological impact of the collision which is likely to have a lasting result."
