A LAPSE in concentration on the part of a young driver led to a crash that sent an elderly woman to hospital for two months.

The collision on Tewkesbury Way on September 19 last year caused multiple injuries to the victim who was on a shopping trip when it happened.

Tobias Parker, aged 27, of Richards Close, Royal Wootton Bassett, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court and admitted driving his Ford Fiesta on Tewkesbury Way without due care and attention.

Prosecutor Nick Barr said a woman in her 70s was driving her Suzuki Swift from her home in Chiseldon to Asda in West Swindon when she saw a small black car swerving into her lane.

It then collided with her car, pushing it into a tree.

She was knocked unconscious by the impact and was taken to hospital after being freed from the wreckage.

Mr Barr said she spent eight weeks in hospital after suffering injuries including broken ribs, fractured sternum, fractured scapula and leg wounds.

In an interview with police the defendant said he had been at work since 7am and was heading home after 2pm.

In a bid to avoid traffic at junction 16, he drove along Tewkesbury Way and was coming off the Toothill roundabout doing about 20 to 25mph when the car’s steering failed to respond.

Parker claimed he was worried he had over-corrected and turned the wheel left but collided with the other car.

He told police he was in shock when he got out of the car and went over to the other vehicle to check on the driver. He moved her foot off the accelerator, switched off the ignition and waited with her for the arrival of the emergency services.

Parker, a Swindon Borough Council environmental protection officer, who already had three points on his licence for a speeding offence, told the bench: “I did not know the extent of the injury.

“It was a lapse in concentration. All I can do is apologise. Perhaps I didn’t take into account how dangerous the road can be when wet. I haven’t had a massive amount of experience driving.”

He explained he had just finished university and was applying for the council post when the accident happened.

Having a licence was vital to his job because he needed to go out on site visits. He had also been on a placement with Public Health England and had needed to organise his own transport.

“A ban would essentially mean losing my livelihood,” he said, adding that if he had any more than nine points it would raise a warning flag with his bosses.

The magistrates decided to endorse his licence with five points and imposed a fine of £260, with £85 prosecution costs and a £30 victim surcharge.