A pensioner who reversed into a council worker, knocking him under her car and dragging him 30 feet, has escaped a driving ban.

Sheila Lee had been reversing into a disabled parking space in the Market Place Car Park in Spilsby in her automatic car when her foot slipped onto the accelerator and she shot backwards, knocking Neil Gooding under her vehicle, magistrates heard.

Mr Gooding had managed to grab part of the car to stop being completely run over. His high-visibility jacket was damaged as he was dragged along and he suffered grazes to his legs, a gash to his knee and swelling to his left ankle, left elbow and right knee, prosecutor John Mitchell told the court.

Lee, 73, of Frithville Road, Sibsey, had earlier written to the court pleading guilty to an offence of driving on April 1, without due care and attention and expressing her apologies and deep regret.

The bench had adjourned the case for Lee to attend court as they were considering imposing a disqualification

After hearing that Lee had never had any endorsements before and was very reliant on her car to get around as she suffered with arthritis, the bench decided not to impose a disqualification.

Skegness magistrates fined her £100 and ordered her to pay £60 costs and a £15 surcharge. Nine penalty points were endorsed on her driving licence.

Miss Ruth Harrop, representing Lee, said that her client had been reversing into a parking space and had opened her door to check whether she was within the lines of the space. Her foot had slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator, causing the car to shoot backwards.

She realised she had hit a council van but did not realise she had hit Mr Gooding.

Lee was absolutely horrified by what had happened and had been caused a great deal of distress, said Miss Harrop.