Doctor Who Ran Over Zebra Crossing Pedestrian Guilty Of Careless Driving

A doctor, who mowed down a veteran 80 year-old journalist – inflicting life-changing injuries - as she used a zebra crossing outside the hospital he was employed at, was convicted of careless driving yesterday.

Consultant obstetrician Dr. Andrew Breeze, 40, of Prince Henry's Court, Otley, West Yorkshire helps run the multiple pregnancy unit at Leeds General Infirmary and has a general antenatal clinic near his home at Wharfedale Hospital.

He formerly worked at Kingston Hospital, south-west London and had just driven his silver VW Passat out of the staff car park and turned onto Galsworthy Road when he ran over Surrey Comet features editor June Sampson on November 26, 2013.

He fought the charge, but was convicted at Wimbledon Magistrates Court of driving without due care and attention and received a twelve-month conditional discharge, with £850 cost and a £15 victim surcharge.

His licence was also endorsed with three penalty points.

It was dark and approximately 7pm when June – whose married name is Mrs Tims – was struck at approximately 20mph, suffering pelvic injuries, broken bones in her legs and a severe head injury with bleeding on the brain.

She was placed in a medically-induced coma and is now dependant on her family to care for her.

Her injuries were initially life-threatening and she spent six months recovering in St. George's Hospital and suffers lasting effects, which prevent her working, writing, driving and cooking.

Prosecutor Mr. William Russell told the court: “Mrs Tims was crossing the zebra crossing when she was hit by the vehicle driven by the defendant.

“The defendant had come from Kingston Hospital, where he was working, and was driving along Galsworthy Road. The collision was on the front left side of the vehicle on the bonnet area.

“The defendant stopped after hearing what he described as a loud bang and saw the victim lying on the road and being a doctor he offered assistance and Mrs Tims was taken off to emergency.

“The prosecution case is that there was adequate lighting and he must have seen her and if he did not it therefore amounts to carelessness, misjudgment or error.

“When he spoke to the police Dr. Breeze said that he did not see Mrs Tims and just heard a bang. He said that he was not distracted by anything and the vehicle was not defective in any way.”

Breeze's defence team pointed out a second driver claimed the crossing was “very poorly lit” and he had not seen June either.

A local resident complained to the council that the crossing was poorly lit and the defence said there was evidence spotlights at the crossing had been removed shortly before the incident then re-installed afterwards.