A PENSIONER who knocked down and killed an 83-year-old pedestrian on a busy Poole road claims she didn’t see her until “she was on the bonnet of her car,” a court heard.

Janet Chapman, 68, of Florence Road, Bournemouth, is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court charged with causing death by careless driving.

Chapman, who is now in a wheelchair, knocked down and killed 83-year-old Mary Wallwork almost two years ago.

Mrs Wallwork was using the puffin crossing in Herbert Avenue at 7.45pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, when she was involved in a collision with a white Renault Megane – driven by Chapman.

Mrs Wallwork, of Wyvern Road, Poole, died of head injuries as a result of the collision.

At Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday the prosecution opened their case, which claims Chapman was driving without due care and attention and as a result caused the death of Mrs Wallwork.

Simon Edwards, prosecuting, told the jury Mrs Wallwork was one of three pedestrians using the crossing near the Tesco Express in Herbert Avenue.

“The other two people crossed the road in just a few seconds but because Mrs Wallwork was an elderly woman who was aided by a walking stick it took her quite a bit longer to cross the road,” said Mr Edwards.

“The lights for motorists on Herbert Avenue had turned green while Mrs Wallwork was still crossing the road but she still had the right of way.

“She was still attempting to make the crossing when she was hit by Mrs Chapman’s car.”

The court heard that Chapman had been waiting in the mouth of Stanfield Road to turn right into Herbert Avenue.

She claims that she hadn’t seen Mrs Wallwork at the time of the incident as it was dark and had been raining.

The court heard that just after the crash Chapman stopped at the scene and told a passer-by: “I didn’t see her until she was on the bonnet. The lights were green.”

But Mr Edwards told the jury Herbert Avenue is a busy, urban road that is well-lit.

On the night of the accident Gabrielle Wills was trying to turn into Stanfield Road from Herbert Avenue and allowed Chapman to pull out in front of her, She told the jury she could see three pedestrians on the crossing.

Chapman denies the charges. The trial continues.