An 88‑year‑old woman has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving when her vehicle struck a restaurant in Wigston earlier this year.
Court verdict and penalties
Barbara Sharman, of Coombe Place, Oadby, entered her guilty plea at Leicester Magistrates' Court on 29 July in relation to an incident on 11 April when a Ford Kuga mounted the kerb and crashed into the Shokudo Japanese restaurant on Bell Street.
The court ordered a driving disqualification of 12 months, to run until Sharman passes an extended driving test, and imposed a fine of £533 following a reduction from the original £800 in recognition of an early guilty plea. She must also pay a surcharge of £213 and costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service, with payments to be made in full by 26 August under a court collection order.
Injuries and immediate response
Emergency services attended the scene shortly after 4pm on the day of the incident. One person inside the restaurant was taken to hospital and sustained significant injuries, reported to include multiple cuts, a smashed pelvis and broken ribs. Two occupants of the car, described as a man and a woman both in their 80s, were uninjured.
Local implications and road safety concerns
The case underlines continuing concerns about collisions involving elderly drivers and the need for checks and safeguards where fitness to drive is in question. While the court has imposed a time‑limited ban, the requirement to pass an extended driving test before resuming driving reflects the judiciary's use of measures intended to balance mobility and public safety.
- Defendant: Barbara Sharman, 88, of Coombe Place, Oadby
- Location: Shokudo Japanese restaurant, Bell Street, Wigston
- Date of incident: 11 April
- Court hearing: Leicester Magistrates' Court, 29 July
Penalty summary
| Penalty | Amount / duration |
|---|---|
| Driving disqualification | 12 months (until extended test passed) |
| Fine | £533 (reduced from £800) |
| Surcharge | £213 |
| CPS costs | £85 |
Those with concerns about road safety or about a relative's ability to drive can seek advice from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or their GP; local authorities and community transport organisations may also offer guidance or alternatives for older drivers facing a loss of independence.
The sentencing at Leicester Magistrates' Court closes this chapter of the legal process, but the incident remains a practical reminder for motorists and families across Leicestershire to consider fitness to drive and the potential consequences of collisions in built‑up public spaces.
