Crash driver won't be charged

Julie Porteous and her seven-year-old son Jacques were walking at the top of the High Street in Polegate when a car mounted the pavement and knocked them down.

The driver of the car, a woman in her 70s from Bexhill, is believed to have lost control of the vehicle and careered into them.

The incident, which occurred on January 3, left Julie with a broken leg, broken ankle and fractures in her foot amongst other injuries, while Jacques sustained serious injuries.

Both mother and son were initially taken to Eastbourne District Hospital but Jacques was later transferred to a specialist head injuries unit in London and later underwent brain surgery.

The driver of the Toyota Yaris that hit Mrs Porteous and Jacques has not been charged after handing in her licence.

Mrs Porteous can still take civil action if she wishes but she is angry that no criminal action is being taken against the motorist.

She said: "I think once drivers get to 65 they should be tested every year.

"My initial reaction when I was told she would not be prosecuted was what does she have to do, kill me?"

She now plans to have counselling to come to terms with the incident and is grateful to all the support from her friend Ruth Aston and her family.

Sussex Police confirmed that the elderly driver has not being prosecuted. A spokesman said: "It doesn't always seem appropriate to the person who has been injured but in the police's view it's an appropriate penalty because it stops that person driving again."

Jacques, who had to have stitches on his head and will have permanent scars, will see a neurologist in February.