AN ELDERLY motorist has been fined £8,000 after killing another pensioner just yards from her care home.

Robert Hammer, aged 94, pleaded guilty at Poole Magistrates’ Court, yesterday, to causing death by careless driving.

Pat Ashman, aged 85, a popular resident at Avon Reach Care Home in Mudeford, died after being crushed by Hammer’s BMW as she headed out for her daily walk.

Prosecuting, Nicola Reece, explained how Hammer - who had decided to drive to his local shop - initially collided with a parked car. In the seconds afterwards, despite witnesses shouting for him to turn off the engine, he accelerated and put the BMW 323i into reverse.

Mrs Reece said: “The car moved slowly at first but quickly picked up speed.” Moments later Hammer’s BMW mounted the pavement and collided with Mrs Ashman, crushing her between his vehicle and the garden wall of a nearby property.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, the court was told.

Mrs Reece said the victim’s family were “devastated” by their loss.

Explaining the lack of a victim impact statement for the sentencing magistrates to consider, Mrs Reece said: “The family is too overwhelmed by their loss to be able to put their thoughts into writing.”

Hammer, a World War Two Royal Navy veteran with an unblemished 70 year driving record up until the accident, voluntarily surrendered his licence to police after the fatal collision.

Defending, Rupert Russell, said: “He wishes for me, on his behalf, to express his sincerest condolences to the family of Mrs Ashman. He accepts in reversing like he did, that was the carelessness that caused Mrs Ashman’s death.

“He feels such trauma and shame. This incident has cast a long shadow, and will continue to cast a long shadow, over his later years. He is deeply remorseful.”

Hammer, now of Barnet, Hertfordshire, appeared in court, supported by four members of his family.

Appearing in court using a cane to walk, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and his guilty plea.

One of the victim’s relatives also attended the hearing.

The accident took place on the Friday afternoon of October 13, last year, at Mudeford Lane.

Hammer was 93 years old at the time of the collision.

CCTV from a nearby newsagents - which was played in court - showed his BMW reversing past the shop, at speed, towards the point where the fatal collision occurred.

Fining Hammer £8,000 and ordering him to pay £260 costs and victim surcharge, David Murray, chairman of the bench, said: “We accept you are very sorry for what took place.

“No sentence we give will ever bring this situation to a satisfactory conclusion.”

Hammer was also banned from driving for three years.

Inspector Joe Pardy, of Dorset Police’s traffic unit, said: “This was a tragic case involving a serious misjudgement by Robert Hammer that resulted in the most terrible consequences for the victim and her family.

“No sentence can reflect the devastation caused to all parties involved but I hope this incident can at least serve as a warning to every road user to drive carefully and considerately at all times.”