A PENSIONER who knocked down an elderly woman with his car then then went to the pub for his tea, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard Margaret Walton, 83, suffered a broken hip after she was hit in Barden Mill Car Park, Burnley, by driver Alwyn Waterhouse.

She later died, which the prosecution initially believed was because of her injuries, but the defendant's solicitor claimed it was due to a liver condition.

Waterhouse, 75, admitted failing to report the accident.

The defendant, of East View, Queensberry, Bradford, was fined £150, with £55 costs, and given five penalty points.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court that on March 3 Mrs Walton and her daughter Jean had been shopping and were crossing the car park to their vehicle.

Mrs Walton, who walked with a stick, was standing near the passenger door when her daughter spotted a Ford Focus reversing slowly towards her.

She tried to stop it but it struck her mother.

The defendant was not asked for his details, nor did he volunteer any, and was spoken to by police later that day.

Miss Jabbari said Waterhouse told officers he had checked his mirrors and did not see Mrs Walton. He knew he had to report the accident but was in shock.

The prosecutor continued: "Mrs Walton received an injury to her hip which subsequently resulted in her death."

But Paul Morris, defending, said the hip injury had nothing to do with Mrs Walton's death. Waterhouse had been driving for 50 years, had a clean licence and had never been involved in an accident.

He was an unlikely person to be accused of a hit-and-run and he and his wife were horrified he had found himself in the position.

Mr Morris added the defendant was extremely shaken by the tragedy. His wife had been unwell and he decided they should eat before calling police when they got home.

The solicitor said Waterhouse did stop after the accident to help Mrs Walton back to the car. He was unable to supply details as Miss Walton drove her mother straight to hospital.

Mr Morris added Waterhouse had no idea Mrs Walton had suffered any significant injury or that he was breaking the law.

He continued: "He has maintained contact with Jean Walton and sent flowers. He has really struggled to realise where he has gone wrong."