'We're lost without her' - family's heartrending words to court after 'fit and healthy' Hartlepool great-grandmother killed by careless driver

Jetta Jowsey, 86, died after mother-of-two Lisa Armstrong, 39, failed to see her as crossed Shrewsbury Street near Oxford Road in Hartlepool on a dark, wet morning last November.

Armstrong admitted causing death by careless driving at Teesside Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 22.

Heartrending statements by members of Mrs Jowsey’s family were read in court describing the hole her death has left in their lives that can never be filled.

Her daughter Katherine Davison said: “Our mam was the hub of the family. I’m lost without her.”

The court heard how Mrs Jowsey had been to a dry cleaners on Oxford Road ahead of a dancing trip to Blackpool at about 11.30am on Friday, November 1, when the collision happened.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said: “At this time the defendant was driving a Vauxhall Insignia. She turned onto Oxford Road having come from Caledonian Road.

"As she reached the junction of Shrewsbury Street she turned right into Shrewsbury Street and collided with Mrs Jowsey who was approximately five metres (16ft) from the junction.”

Mrs Jowsey suffered injuries including a shattered hip and internal bleeding.

She was treated at James Cook Hospital where she underwent an eight-hour operation the next day but sadly never regained consciousness.

The court heard Mrs Jowsey had told members of her family that Armstrong’s car ‘came from nowhere’.

Despite her age she was fit and active with a busy social life, they said. She had four children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The statement by her daughter Katherine added: “Everything we did as a family it was at mam’s house; parties, lunch and get-togethers.

"It was heartbreaking not being able to do anything for her or take away her pain.

"We were robbed of years with mam. Her life was taken away so carelessly.”

Mrs Jowsey’s eldest granddaughter Sarah Jane Brackstone said she was like a mum to her adding: “It’s hard to accept someone else’s negligence has cost my grandma her life.”

And another granddaughter, Melissa Long, said in a statement: “The impact of that day will stay with us as a family, her friends and colleagues forever.”

The court heard Armstrong, a married personal trainer, called an ambulance and stayed with Mrs Jowsey until it came.

Andrew Teate, defending, said in mitigation she had not been in a rush or drinking and was driving at 10mph.

The car was fully taxed, insured and had no defects.

Mr Teate said it was a ‘momentary lapse of judgement’ adding: “The defendant deeply regrets what happened.

"She couldn’t apologise more for what’s happened and she’s heard the effects her actions on the day in question have had on the family.”

Chair of the bench Sally Farrand said Armstrong, of Ardrossan Road, had shown genuine remorse.

"It appears to us to have been a most tragic accident,” she said. “I’m sure everybody involved has had a very traumatic year.”

Armstrong was also given a 12-month community order with 80 hours unpaid work and must pay £175 legal costs.

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