A DRIVER who hit and killed a woman as she crossed a main road in Amblecote has been jailed for causing death by careless driving.

Popular community figure Jennifer Batty had been crossing Audnam Road, close to the junction with Brettell Lane, with her dog Rebel when she was knocked down on the morning of December 18 last year.

The driver, Stephen Price, was travelling at 45 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone when he hit Mrs Batty as he tried to run a red light at the crossing, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mrs Batty, aged 59-years-old, was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where despite the best efforts of medics, she died from her injuries.

Howard Searle, prosecuting, shared victim statements from Mrs Batty’s family who spoke of their heartbreak following her sudden death.

Her husband Gavin described her as his “soulmate” and how the pair had been looking forward to enjoying their retirement together.

She was described as a “special aunt” and Howard Searle added that Mrs Batty, who was a school governor and owner of school uniform shop Totally Uniform in Kingswinford, was “much loved by the community she served”.

Andrew Fisher, defending, said Price’s “remorse is total” and that he made a “split second decision that he will regret for the rest of his life”.

He added: “He doesn’t forgive himself and doesn’t expect forgiveness from anyone else.

“He can’t turn the clock back. He made a grave error.”

He added that Price had no previous convictions, no driving offences and had positive character references from his family and employer. He also stayed at the scene after the collision.

Price, aged 38, of Links Road, Oldbury, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on November 12.

Sentencing Price, Judge Chambers QC said: “On December 18 you needlessly cause the death of Mrs Batty” adding it was an “an act of selfishness.”

Summing up the case he said: “At about ten to 7 you were approaching the approaching the junction of Audnam Road.

“The lights began changing and she was entitled to assume it was safe to cross. You approached the junction at 45 miles per hour. You overtook a slower car in the nearside lane and deliberately drove through a red light.”

Price was sentenced to a nine-month custodial sentence and was disqualified from driving for two years and three months, at a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court today (December 20).