A pensioner who crushed her best friend's leg in a freak car accident, resulting in the limb having to be amputated, has been spared jail.

Lynda Idle, 69, pinned dog trainer Jeanette Maggs between two cars as she dropped her home from a shopping trip.

A court heard Idle's Honda Stepwagon first struck Ms Maggs when Idle inexplicably got out of the automatic vehicle but left it in 'drive'.

As the 66-year-old cried out in shock and pain, Idle desperately attempted to stop the people carrier by slamming her foot on the brake.

But she mistakenly hit the accelerator, crushing her friend's left leg even more against a stationary Mini Cooper.

Mrs Maggs suffered an open fracture to the tibia and fibula, as well as massive blood loss and shock.

She was flown by air ambulance to King's College Hospital in London and underwent emergency surgery.

However, Maidstone Crown Court in Kent heard the limb could not be saved and was amputated at the knee joint 24 hours later.

The impact on her life, both physically and emotionally, had been devastating, with Ms Maggs forced to give up dog training and even to rehome six of her animals.

"There have been many occasions when I have thought it would have been better if I hadn't survived..." - Jeanette Maggs

In a series of statements to police, the one-time keen walker and martial arts enthusiast said: "The accident has taken me from being able-bodied and independent to disabled in the blink of an eye.

"Not only did I lose my leg, I also lost a way of life I loved. Prior to the accident my whole life revolved around my dogs.

"Having to lose them has torn me apart emotionally and I will have to live with the guilt of doing so for the rest of my life.

"There have been many occasions when I have thought it would have been better if I hadn't survived."

Idle, of Vicarage Road, Bexley, Kent, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Sentencing the pensioner to 12 months' jail suspended for two years on Friday, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC described it as a 'horrendous and tragic' incident.

But he added no sentence could ever compensate Ms Maggs for what happened and its lasting effects.

"She suffered appalling injuries to her left leg and their consequences have been plainly life-changing for her, as is clear from her impact statements which made harrowing listening," said the judge.

He then told Idle: "It is clear you are mortified and distraught at what you have done; devastated at the injuries you caused your good friend. Those feelings and your remorse will, I am sure, live with you forever.

"I take the view that the seriousness of this offence just has to be marked by a sentence of imprisonment, but the interests of the public do not demand that you should have to serve that sentence immediately."

Idle, said to live in a static caravan at her daughter's home, was also banned from driving for three years and must take an extended test to regain her licence.

She was also ordered to pay £750 court costs.

Ms Maggs attended the hearing in a wheelchair. The court heard she no longer wished to have contact with Idle.

The two women had returned to Ms Maggs's home in Heath End Road, Dartford, from a shopping trip on March 24 last year.

Ms Maggs had unloaded some groceries and was heading back to the Honda for more when she was struck by the unmanned car.

"I still harbour a hope, no matter how remote, that what has happened turns out to be a bad dream and my life magically returns to normal..." - Jeanette Maggs

Prosecutor James Ross said: "What happened next is what made this incident a true tragedy, because Lynda Idle went back to the driver's door and intended, through the open door, to apply her foot to the brake pedal and stop the vehicle in its tracks.

"Unfortunately, as her foot came down on a pedal the car accelerated forward. Having already moved forward and hit Ms Maggs, by stepping on the accelerator the car moved forward again.

"It hit her leg, moved her forward and pinned her to a Mini Cooper parked close by. In effect, her leg was crushed between these two vehicles."

The court heard Idle administered first aid to her friend while awaiting the arrival of paramedics and until she was so exhausted a member of the public took over.

When arrested she fully admitted her guilt, albeit with 'a degree of puzzlement', said the prosecutor.

The court heard the exhaustion of caring for her 98-year-old father on a daily basis had 'played a part' in the freak accident.

As well as emergency surgery, Ms Maggs required additional operations to the amputation wound.

She now needs what she described as a 'completely alien' amount of medication, including anti-depressants, and has undergone counselling.

In her victim impact statement she said having her leg amputated was in fact 'the easy part' as she now struggled to cope with her new life and the stark choice of a prosthetic limb or wheelchair.

Mrs Maggs described herself as fighting but fearful.

"My life has been shattered and will have to be rebuilt bit by bit, but no matter how much I try it will never be the same. It is a long and slow process during which I will continue to be pushed to my limits.

"Frustration, vulnerability, anger and pain are a part of everyday life now. It is what my life has become. Every day is a struggle.

"I still harbour a hope, no matter how remote, that what has happened turns out to be a bad dream and my life magically returns to normal."

Lucy Sweetland, defending Idle, said she had been caring for her elderly father on a daily basis at the time, but felt 'relief' from that responsibility now he was in a home.

Describing her as considerate and selfless, Miss Sweetland added: "There is no question that the impact on Ms Maggs has been absolutely devastating and that tragedy resulted from such a brief incident.

"The parties were very close friends but Ms Maggs has made it clear that she doesn't want to hear from her.

"But it is clear in a character reference from a mutual friend how much Mrs Idle would wish to apologise if she could.

"Her guilt and genuine remorse are multiplied by the fact she has lost her best friend as a result too."