September 12th 2023.
Judith Wadsworth was attending her daughter's wedding at the Coniston Hotel and Spa in the Yorkshire Dales when tragedy struck. The 66-year-old mother of the bride was collecting boxes from her car in the hotel car park when she was struck and killed by Nicholas Bannister, 64.
The court heard that Bannister, the hotel boss, was driving his Range Rover at between 9-12mph when he hit Mrs Wadsworth at a pedestrian crossing. CCTV footage showed Mrs Wadsworth bringing in boxes to the reception minutes before the fatal collision.
Bannister drove on for 20 metres after hitting Mrs Wadsworth and only stopped when he heard sounds coming from underneath his vehicle. A hotel employee rushed to help Bannister who still had 'no clue' what had happened.
Prosecutor Michael Smith told the jury at Bradford Crown Court that Bannister failed to see Mrs Wadsworth crossing the walkway from his left as he turned right on the one-way turning loop. Mr Smith said: "As the defendant struck her, he still did not realise he hit her, so he drove on for about 20 metres, before a sound under the car caused him to stop."
The only witness to the collision was hotel employee Natasha Hobson-Shaw who had stopped her vehicle in order for Bannister to make his manoeuvre. Mr Smith said: "It was clear from their conversation when they stopped and got out of the car, the defendant had no clue what had happened."
Bannister, of Bell Busk, near Skipton, denies driving without due care and attention. The trial continues.
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