A TWELVE-month driving ban has been handed to a Carlisle woman whose careless driving caused an accident that left a cyclist with a broken arm.

Prosecutors accepted the admission from 68-year-old Judith Ramdin, who was originally charged with causing injury while driving dangerously.

The guilty plea to the lesser charge was accepted during a brief hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.  The defendant committed the offence on Blackwell Road, Carlisle, on May 9, when she was at the wheel of a Nissan Micra, the court heard. 

She pulled out in front of a passing cyclist. The collision was put down to the defendant's poor eyesight, the court heard. 

The court heard that the accident happened after Ramdin had been to an optician, who told her that she needed new spectacles. But she was not told that she would need to cease driving, said defence lawyer Jeff Smith.

The lawyer said the defendant, of York Gardens, Carlisle, was a woman of previous good character.  “She has had no endorsements, and never had so much as a parking ticket,” added Mr Smith.

Judge Michael Fanning also imposed a £400 fine, with 28 days in jail in default should the money not be paid. The defendant must pass an extended retest before she can drive again independently.