'Every day I wake up and remember that I have killed somebody. I am so sorry'

A pensioner who killed a pedestrian she failed to notice crossing the road has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Eileen Foey, 78, ran into Michael Blofeld as he crossed North Park Drive in Blackpool last year and made no effort to use her brakes. Mr Blofeld, known to many as Pickle, was thrown into the air and died later.

In a tribute, his family remembered him as a much loved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. He was 48.

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Foey, of Kay Brow, Ramsbottom, was subsequently charged with causing death by careless driving, an offence she admitted at Preston Magistrates' Court. She returned to the court on Tuesday (August 22) to learn what punishment she would face, LancsLive reports.

Both Foey and members of Mr Blofeld's family were allowed to leave the court as distressing footage showing the moment of impact was played in court. In the footage, Mr Blofeld could be seen stepping out to walk across the road and being hit by Foey's Kia Picanto moments later on April 28, 2022.

After viewing the footage and considering the submissions of various eyewitnesses, District Judge Richard Thomas noted that the only way Mr Blofeld would have safely crossed the road was if a driver had taken action to avoid him. Foey did no such thing and an expert traffic accident report prepared on her behalf could find no explanation for the error.

Prosecuting, Jane Rappin explained that Mr Blofeld had discharged himself from Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where he had spent a few days with fractured ribs. He only managed a short walk before the fatal collision occurred.

Defending, Lee Hughes said Foey had no previous convictions and had never