'I'm no monster', says speeding driver who hit girl, 16, in smash on wrong side of road

A speeding driver who crashed into a teenager as she was crossing the road has publicly apologised to her family. Julia Sherratt contacted StokeonTrentLive to express her remorse following the crash which left the girl with a fractured ankle and wrist and 100 stitches her head.

The 57-year-old, who claims she had no recollection of the crash, called the emergency services and rushed to the teenager's side to help, adding: "I am no monster." Sherratt says she has been left 'trapped' in her flat as she faces up to the prospect of probably never driving again.

Sherratt was travelling at 10mph over the 30mph speed limit on the wrong side of London Road, in Chesterton, when she hit her victim who was crossing the road. She had no drink or drugs in her system - although she had taken heroin and methadone four days earlier - and believes the crash could be linked to head injuries she suffered during an incident of domestic abuse. The court last week gave reference to a 'terrible' relationship in Turkey.

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The Crackley widow used to work in offices before being registered disabled and struck down with a degenerative spinal disease and osteoporosis. She says she has never been in trouble before.

Following the case, she said: "I immediately cared for the young lady while I was calling the ambulance and the police. I got a scarf from the car for her head and kept her talking until a local nurse came to help and the emergency services arrived. I have been driving for nearly 40 years without incident and my only thoughts then, and now, were for her and her recovery.

"My car was my independence so I am now trapped in my apartment.