A WOMAN pedestrian killed by a speeding car driver would have been the first to forgive him, says a vicar who knew her well.

Joyce Denning, 80, was crossing the A26 at Teston, near Maidstone, on February 4 when David Stewart approached at twice the speed limit of 40mph and struck her.

Stewart, 23, of Bramley Crescent, Bearsted, near Maidstone, has been jailed for three years by a crown court judge after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Miss Denning was a devoted member of St Peter and St Paul Church at Teston and was known by all in the village.

The vicar of Wateringbury, East Malling and Teston, the Rev Jim Brown, said: “In Teston, everyone is still stunned. It was a reckless act, but of all people who would extend the act of forgiveness it would have been Joyce herself.”

Stewart wept as a judge at Maidstone Crown Court told him it was not the purpose of the court to exact revenge for what he did.

“Neither is the sentence to place a value on human life,” said Judge Andrew Patience, QC. “It is not possible. A life, particularly this lady, is invaluable. It cannot in any way be defined or quantified.”

But he added that the speed Stewart was travelling at when he hurtled into Miss Denning was a serious aggravating feature.

Jo Cope, prosecuting, said Stewart had been driving through Maidstone in his Honda Civic. A Volkswagen Golf pulled out in front of him and he made a rude gesture.

Stewart drove behind the Golf before overtaking it as well as a van and then sped away.

Miss Denning was pulling a shopping trolley as she crossed the road. Mrs Cope said another driver later told police that it was safe for her to cross as no vehicles were in sight.

He and other witnesses described Stewart “flashing past”. The Honda braked and mounted the pavement but could not avoid hitting Miss Denning, who was thrown into the air.

Stewart continued driving and the car disappeared out of view, but shortly afterwards he returned to the scene, where he collapsed on the pavement sobbing.

Stewart, a father of two, told police he had been unable to slow his car down at first. He admitted that when he first saw the victim he would have been travelling at “a rate of knots” at 80-85mph.

Mrs Cope said Stewart had, in March 2001, been put on probation for 18 months and banned from driving for the same period for failing to provide a specimen of breath.

John Fitzgerald, defending, said Stewart had in no way tried to shirk responsibility for what happened.

“He accepts what he has done and will have to bear it for the rest of his life,” he said.

“He was put on suicide watch at the police station, such was his emotional turmoil.”

Judge Patience said it was a grave offence and the emptiness and despair would remain with Miss Denning’s family for a long time.

He took into account that after the “terrible, terrible impact” Stewart returned to the scene and showed genuine remorse.

But had he not driven in a grossly irresponsible way, the victim would still be alive, said the judge.

Stewart was banned from driving for five years and will then have to take an extended test.

After the hearing, Safer Roads for Teston campaigner Alan Hayes, who knew Miss Denning, said: “Hearing about it has opened wounds again, but it does make grieving easier and people can start to put their lives back together.”