A motorist has been sentenced to 175 hours community service after admitting losing control of his sports car and injuring a pensioner.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Spencer Thorne, 28, of Ellis Close, Orsett, mounted the pavement and knocked down Susan Rivers as he accelerated away from a roundabout in Romford on March 29 last year.

Mrs Rivers, who is in her seventies, suffered internal bleeding to her head, torn leg ligaments and a slipped disc after being hit by Thorne's Nissan 300ZX Coupe.

Mechanic Thorne, who was unhurt, called the police after careering into a nearby fence.

Prosecutor Tristan Chaize said: "Had he exercised more restraint while exiting the roundabout, he would not have lost control of the car."

Judge Timothy King ordered Thorne to pay Mrs Rivers £1,000 compensation.

Thorne was disqualified from driving for three years. He will have to sit an extended test before driving again.

Published Tuesday August 10, 2004

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