A 95-year-old woman has been handed a suspended jail sentence after running over a 77-year-old grandmother while distracted by a free disabled parking space at a petrol station.
Tragic Crash at West Midlands Petrol Station
Joan Barwick was turning right into a petrol station forecourt on Hagley Road, Oldswinford, when she struck Linda Wareham, who was crossing with her dog. The incident happened on April 17 last year. Barwick admitted causing death by dangerous driving but was spared immediate imprisonment. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Barwick, from Wollescote, Dudley, was driving at a slow 10mph but failed to spot Mrs Wareham in her path. The 77-year-old suffered catastrophic head injuries and was removed from life support the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Courtroom Drama and Emotional Tributes
CCTV footage showing the moment of impact was played in court, causing Mrs Wareham’s husband and daughter to break down and leave the room. Prosecutor Tim Harrington said Barwick “was simply not looking at what was in front of her,” distracted by an empty parking bay.
“She was driving at such a speed that she would have been able to stop had she seen her, perhaps making this all the more tragic,” Harrington said.
Despite her unblemished driving record, the court was told Mrs Wareham, described as a vulnerable road user, had the right of way.
Sentencing and Heartfelt Statements
Defence lawyer Paul Lewis stressed his client’s “genuine remorse” and highlighted that Barwick, who had surrendered her licence, faced a jail sentence that would likely shorten her already advanced years. Judge Michael Chambers handed down a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He also banned Barwick from driving for 10 years and ordered £705 in costs.
“Mrs Wareham was clear for everyone to see as she progressed along the pavement. I’m quite satisfied Mrs Wareham is entirely blameless. She was entitled to expect you to stop,” said Judge Chambers.
In emotional victim impact statements, Mrs Wareham’s husband, Peter, revealed his PTSD diagnosis after 60 years together. He said:
“She was caring and selfless… All that ended on April 18 when my wife was cruelly taken.”
Mrs Wareham’s daughter, Joanne Willetts, called her mother her “unfaltering constant”: “To lose my mum so tragically is heartbreaking for my children and me.”
The Verdict
Judge Chambers acknowledged the tragic circumstances but agreed Barwick’s momentary lapse after decades of responsible driving warranted a suspended sentence rather than jail. The senior court figure said:
“You were simply not looking at what was in front of you, instead looking at an available parking space. The impact on you has been significant, but so has the loss suffered by the family.”
