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Guilty school crash driver Robert Bell fined £100 | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A driver found guilty of carelessly driving a car which ploughed into a lollipop lady and five pupils outside a school has been fined £100. | |
Robert Bell, 62, from Rhoose, lost control of his Audi A3 at Rhws Junior School, Vale of Glamorgan, last June. | |
He was also given four points on his licence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Friday. | |
District Judge Bodfan Jenkins ordered Bell to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £1,130 costs. | |
Lollipop lady Karin Williams used her body as a human shield to protect the children. | |
Judge Jenkins told him: "You were having a coughing fit and you did not deal with it properly as a driver ought to. | |
"You got your foot not where you intended on the brake but put it on the throttle. | |
"It was a misjudgement at low speed and a loss of control with horrendous consequences. | |
"This is a tragic case, more for those injured than yourself. | |
"The tragedy is something you will have to live with through a momentary lapse of concentration and misjudgement." | |
The court heard there are civil proceedings pending over the crash, which sent young youngsters "cartwheeling through the air". | |
Bell's car ended up on its roof outside the school gates. | Bell's car ended up on its roof outside the school gates. |
During his trial, Bell claimed he had suffered a coughing fit and denied the charge. | During his trial, Bell claimed he had suffered a coughing fit and denied the charge. |
Five children and three other adults were injured when the car overturned at a pedestrian crossing. | Five children and three other adults were injured when the car overturned at a pedestrian crossing. |
Ms Williams, 50, was in hospital for 10 weeks, while one of the injured children was unconscious and on life support for three days. | Ms Williams, 50, was in hospital for 10 weeks, while one of the injured children was unconscious and on life support for three days. |
The crash happened on 20 June last year as pupils made their way into school on Fontygary Road at 08:50 BST. | The crash happened on 20 June last year as pupils made their way into school on Fontygary Road at 08:50 BST. |
One of those injured, a nine-year-old girl, was treated for serious head injuries and was in intensive care, while four girls and a boy, aged between five and 10, were also hurt. | One of those injured, a nine-year-old girl, was treated for serious head injuries and was in intensive care, while four girls and a boy, aged between five and 10, were also hurt. |
Bell, who was wearing flip flops at the time, claimed he did not remember what happened immediately before the crash until he came around upside down in his car. | Bell, who was wearing flip flops at the time, claimed he did not remember what happened immediately before the crash until he came around upside down in his car. |
But the prosecution said he was conscious of what happened and had told a paramedic he remembered surging forward after a speed bump. | But the prosecution said he was conscious of what happened and had told a paramedic he remembered surging forward after a speed bump. |
Witnesses to the crash heard a "horrendous bang" as the car ploughed into the group of screaming parents and children. | Witnesses to the crash heard a "horrendous bang" as the car ploughed into the group of screaming parents and children. |
But it was lollipop lady Ms Williams who was hailed a hero when she threw herself in front of the car with her lollipop sign to take the full impact of the crash - protecting five children. | But it was lollipop lady Ms Williams who was hailed a hero when she threw herself in front of the car with her lollipop sign to take the full impact of the crash - protecting five children. |
The 50-year-old heard a "revving noise" moments before the car ploughed into her. | The 50-year-old heard a "revving noise" moments before the car ploughed into her. |
"I was shouting something to warn the kids and moved in their direction out of instinct," she said. | "I was shouting something to warn the kids and moved in their direction out of instinct," she said. |
Ms Williams was left on the front of the car as it carried on sliding. | Ms Williams was left on the front of the car as it carried on sliding. |
She spent nearly three months in hospital with broken legs, elbow, shoulder and ribs. | She spent nearly three months in hospital with broken legs, elbow, shoulder and ribs. |
Up to 30 police officers descended on the scene, as well as teams of paramedics and fire crews. | Up to 30 police officers descended on the scene, as well as teams of paramedics and fire crews. |
Months after the crash, Ms Williams was honoured with a Pride of Britain award for her bravery. | Months after the crash, Ms Williams was honoured with a Pride of Britain award for her bravery. |