A WOMAN has been forgiven by the family of a 92-year-old Spitfire pilot who died after she knocked him down in her car.

Doug Gregory’s family said they knew Claire Lingard-Wells would be “haunted” by the fact she caused the death of the Second World War veteran, who she left lying in the road after thinking she had clipped a bollard.

Southampton Magistrates Court heard how the 35-year-old mum-of-five was pulling out of a petrol station in her Nissan Qashqai when, unbeknown to her, she hit the pensioner who had gone to collect his morning newspaper.

Lingard-Wells, a teaching assistant, knew she had hit something as her wing mirror was broken but she had driven off and returned home - only realising what had happened when she heard about the crash on the news.

The court heard how she got someone to drive her back to the scene where she approached a police officer.

During that time her car, which she had handed over to her husband for the school run, had been stopped after the number plate was recognised.

The crash happened in Hampton Lane, Blackfield, at 7.15am as Mr Gregory walked home having made his daily visit to Blackfield newsagents and post office.

Daily Echo: Doug Gregory.

Prosecutor Marie Fittall told Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Lingard-Wells, whose five children are aged between six months and13, had been busy concentrating on looking left - but had she looked right more, she would have seen him.

Ms Fittall said there was a six second period when Mr Gregory, who was hospitalised with serious head injuries before doctors decided to stop treatment, would have been seen.

He died on April 12.

The court heard how Lingard-Wells of Alum Close, Holbury, who pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention, had been left “distraught” and had called the hospital every day following the crash.

Ms Fittall said: “The family feel forgiveness for her. They feel sympathy for her.

“Their attitude to this is outstanding. They are appreciative of the phone calls she made, that she cared so much.”

Daily Echo: Doug Gregory with his wife Liz, holding a copy of his autobiography.

A statement read to the court from Mr Gregory’s wife Liz added: “My family and I are truly heartbroken by the loss of Doug and the circumstances which caused his death.

“However, we understand that Mrs Lingard-Wells was also deeply upset.

“She will always be haunted by the fact that she caused his death and we hope that the court will consider this in mitigation.”

Speaking after the case, Lingard-Wells told the Daily Echo: “I’m so sorry for the family.”

Daily Echo: Doug in his Spitfire years.

Tributes flooded in to the war veteran, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and four decades later became the Britain’s oldest stunt pilot.

Daily Echo:

An aerial dog fight was staged in his honour in the skies above East Boldre.

Lingard-Wells has no previous convictions and a clean driving licence, the court heard. She was sentenced to a 12-month community penalty with 250 hours’ unpaid work, £85 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and disqualified from driving for a year.

Chris Gaiter, mitigating, said it was “a terrible incident, a tragedy and will affect both Mrs Lingard-Wells and the deceased’s family for some years”.