£500 fine and nine points for careless Perthshire driver who broke child’s leg at crossing

A pensioner who failed to see a red light or a three-year-old crossing the road with his mother told a court she remained fit to drive.

Margaret Macdonald’s car struck the youngster as he crossed at a green man on Perth’s Crieff Road in March.

The child sustained a broken leg and spent four days receiving treatment in hospital before leaving in a cast.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that the 72-year-old had been so distraught at the accident that police had to take her home.

Macdonald, of Birch Cottage, Old Muthill Station, admitted driving carelessly on March 21.

Solicitor Cliff Culley said his client was horrified that the accident had taken place and had tortured herself with thoughts of the potential for even more terrible consequences.

He admitted that “her mind may have been on other things” as her husband had been ill at the time but told the court she remained fit and able to drive.

Sheriff William Wood said the offence was “at the higher end of careless driving”.

He imposed the maximum nine penalty points and a £500 fine.