A PENSIONER from Kineton has been disqualified from driving for 12 months after colliding with a horse and rider.
Christopher John Wixey of Banbury Street is also required to take an extended test of competence before he can drive again and pay a fine of £540.
The 76-year-old appeared at Coventry Crown Court on Friday (September 22) charged with causing serious injury by careless/ inconsiderate driving in January. He had earlier pleaded guilty on August 4.
The charges relate to a collision with a horse and rider at around 11.30am on Monday January 2.
Mr Wixey had been driving a Blue Seat Toleda along Tysoe Road in Kineton when he claimed to have been blinded by the low sun. He continued along the road without adjusting his driving for the conditions before colliding with the back of a horse being ridden by its female owner.
This caused the horse to suffer significant damage to its rear legs and the back of its body and the horse was subsequently put to sleep by vets at the roadside.
The rider hit the ground with such force she sustained physical harm amounting to grievous bodily harm.
PC Adam Fletcher said: “Christopher Wixey drove in a careless and inconsiderate way and this is reflected in the sentence today. As well as the loss of her horse, the rider suffered significant injuries both physical and psychological as a result of this collision and we hope this will offer her some closure today.
“We are taking this opportunity to remind drivers that they should always drive according to the conditions. This often means slowing down and expecting the unexpected on rural roads where there may be horses, cyclists and pedestrians enjoying the countryside. These road users are vulnerable and all drivers are expected to always take extra care to pass them safely.”
Alan Hiscox, Safety Director of The British Horse Society, added: “This is the sort of incident we dread hearing about and why we are working hard to improve road safety for all equestrians. We already work closely with Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership on a number of road safety initiatives and will continue to do so.”
