Woman sentenced after hitting child on zebra crossing

21-year-old Kirstyn Horne was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse yesterday. 

 

She previously pleaded guilty to one charge of causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care and attention on June 15th last year. 

 

Horne hit the four year old, who was crossing the road with her father, after failing to stop in time at the crossing on Harris Promenade. 

 

The little girl suffered a fractured skull and lacerations to her chin - her family told the court she was recovering from the incident "slowly but surely". 

 

Horne's advocate said she was "genuinely devastated" and fully accepted her lapse of concentration had had serious consequences - but said she was unable to offer any explanation as to why she didn't stop. 

 

Sentencing her Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said cars are "lethal weapons" and people can't afford to have such lapses. 

 

Horne, who hasn't driven since the incident, was given 16 weeks in custody suspended for two years - she's also been disqualified from driving for 18 months.