School run mum blamed 'lapse in concentration' for collision that led to a tragedy

SHE FAILED TO SEE PENSIONER AS HE WAS CROSSING THE ROAD

- By TOM MACK

'GLUE THAT HELD OUR FAMILY TOGETHER': Retired horticulturist Graham Benskin died days after being hit by a car in Oadby

A MUM on the school run failed to see an 82-year-old pensioner crossing the road and hit him, causing fatal injuries.

Leicester Crown Court heard there was no explanation for why Kerry Marsh, 37, failed to properly look where she was going for about five seconds.

The mum-of-two had been driving her Audi A3 with her 11-year-old daughter in the car when she hit retired University of Leicester horticulturist Graham Benskin, who had been crossing Wigston Road, in Oadby.

She had smoked cannabis the day before - but was not over the limit - and her car was a month late for its MOT.

After the collision, at about 8.15am on Monday, November 6, 2023, Mr Benskin was rushed to hospital and he died on Sunday, November 26.

Marsh, of Chapel Street, Oadby, admitted causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

During the sentencing hearing, Lucky Thandi, representing Marsh, suggested she had suffered a “momentary lapse of concentration”. But the sentencing judge, William Harbage KC disagreed.