A 22-year-old man has escaped a driving ban following an accident that killed a woman steam train driver.

Richard Isted of Richmond Drive, New Romney, near Hythe, was given a community order and points on his licence for driving without due care and attention.

Isted was driving along Battery Road, Lydd-On-Sea, in July last year when he collided with a train on a level crossing on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. The driver of the train, Suzanne Martin, was killed in the accident.

Isted, unemployed, was sentenced at Ashford Magistrates' Court. He had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.

Isted was given a 150-hour community punishment order, nine points on his licence and told to pay costs of £565.

Suzanne Martin, who was married to the railway’s general manager Danny Martin, was driving the Number 8 Hurricane locomotive when the collision happened.

Imran Mahmood, defending, said: "This case is tragic and there’s no other way to describe what happened on that day.

"This case has had a profound effect on Mr Isted and he will continue to bare the guilt of the consequences for a long time. It’s with him every day and every morning when he wakes up his first thoughts are for Suzanne."

Karen Park, Suzanne’s sister, read a statement on behalf of the family. She said: "We’re very proud of Suzanne’s many achievements. She had worked on the railway since she was a teenager and achieved her ultimate goal to become an engine driver and the Railway’s first female train driver.

"Suzanne is much loved and will always be missed. We are still heartbroken and will be for the rest of our lives."