A 12-year-old boy was left requiring hospital treatment after being hit by a Fife mum who failed to stop at a zebra crossing.
Cheryl Dignan collided with a boy who had only turned 12-years-old that month after driving through the crossing on Langside Drive, Kennoway, on November 26 last year.
The youngster was knocked to the ground by the 33-year-old’s Vauxhall and injured.
Fiscal depute Freya Anderson-Ward told a court: “The complainer was walking with his mother and two younger brothers.
“At this time, the complainer asked his mother whether he could walk on the other side of the road with his brother.
“The complainer approached a zebra crossing and waited while another vehicle was approaching.
“The vehicle stopped and waved both across – him and his brother.”
Youngster tried to jump out the way
The youngster began crossing the road but was forced into taking unsuccessful evasive action halfway across the road when Dignan approached.
“The complainer started crossing.
“The accused approached within her vehicle and showed no sign of stopping.
“The complainer jumped in the air.
“However, the accused hit his leg to one side, causing him to land on the bonnet and roll onto the floor.”
Dignan, of Ivy Grove in Methilhill, stopped the vehicle and got out, asking if the boy was okay.
His trousers were ripped at the knees but the boy told her he was okay and wanted to go home.
Dignan stated she hadn’t seen him on the crossing but she had seen his brother.
The boy’s mother did not take any contact details from Dignan, instead asking for an ambulance.
Paramedics took the boy to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, where he was treated for minor swelling and bruising to both his knees and ankles.
He was prescribed painkillers.
‘Shaken-up’
Dignan’s defence solicitor told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court her client, a single mother-of-three, had been dropping off one of her children at football and was on her way back.
It was explained Dignan, who was not present, had been travelling at around 15mph and did brake at the crossing.
“She has been very shaken up since the incident,” she said.
“She has offered her apologies to the court.”
Dignan admitted driving without due care and attention and failing to keep a proper lookout while at the wheel, driving through a zebra crossing while not safe to do so.
‘Incredibly fortunate’
Sheriff Craig Harris deferred sentencing for Dignan to be present.
He noted she was convicted of driving while uninsured in 2009 and of using her phone at the wheel in 2014.
The sheriff said: “I have to take account of what the accused has pled guilty to.
“She saw one of the children so that itself gave notice she needed to stop.
“The accused showed no sign of stopping.
“She may well have braked when she saw the child.
“She’s incredibly fortunate I’m not dealing with a far more serious injury or far more serious charge.”
Dignan will be sentenced on November 29.
