A young takeaway driver who crashed into an elderly woman and left her with life-changing injuries has been spared jail.

Nicola Brokane, 19, was driving on the wrong side of the road when she collided with Margaret Clarke, who screamed as she “went up into the air”, landing three metres away.

The 82-year-old, who had been a “very successful bowler” and an avid dancer, says at one point she wished she had been killed in the accident so she did not feel like “such an inconvenience”.

University student Brokane was banned from driving for a year but avoided a prison sentence when she appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard Ms Clarke had gone to a jive class in Sandwich on February 29 before she went to the New Inn and had two halves of Guinness.

She was walking back to her car in the evening when disaster struck.

Prosecutor Julie Farbrace told magistrates that Ms Clarke had been crossing No Name Street, near the No Name Shop, when she was hit by the vehicle.

Brokane had travelled down Delf Street, past the Fleur De Lis pub, and turned right into No Name Street.

“CCTV clearly shows she was on the wrong side of the road,” Ms Farbrace told the court.

“No Name Street is two ways.

“She turned right off Cattle Market and Ms Clarke was already crossing.

“She was struck which caused her to be propelled three metres down the road.”

I remember screaming as I went up into the air…

Ms Clarke described seeing Brokane “laughing” behind the wheel moments before the collision.

“We locked eyes as I got hit by the car,” she said.

“I remember screaming as I went up into the air.”

Police and paramedics were called to the scene and Ms Clarke’s injuries included a partially collapsed lung, skin tears and a fractured shin bone.

She spent more than three weeks in hospital and was forced to move in with her son as her home did not have a suitable layout for her while she recovered. Her dog Daisy, who she enjoyed walking, had to be looked after by her ex-husband.

At one point, I thought it would be better if the driver had killed me so I wasn’t such an inconvenience…

Ms Clarke said had it not been for her son’s help, she would have been forced to move into a care home.

“I am also afraid of being lonely and being unable to look after myself without the support of my children,” Ms Clark said in a victim impactment statement.

“I feel I am intruding on my children’s lives.”

She added: “At one point, I thought it would be better if the driver had killed me so I wasn’t such an inconvenience.”

Ms Farbrace said Brokane was working as a delivery driver for takeaway restaurants at the time of the collision, and had just finished one job and was travelling to another.

“That may have been the reason she was rushing round - why she was on the wrong side of the road and hit Ms Clarke,” she said.

Defending, Ian Bond said his client was “very aware of the tragic consequences” of her actions which have not only impacted Ms Clarke but her family.

“She is a young person, and youth and immaturity are always mitigating features,” he said.

“Likewise, to come to the court of previous good character – exemplary character – I abide you to give her all due credit for that.”

Brokane, of Bramley Close, Ash, near Canterbury, voluntarily attended Dover police station in April and arranged for a duty solicitor to go with her.

The teenager gave a ‘no comment’ interview following legal advice given to her.

Mr Bond added: “She was given clear advice and I would say poor advice to make no comment.

“I hope the court would not detract from the submissions I make about remorse.”

Mr Bond says Brokane was in a “blind panic” following the incident and “did all she could” to assist Ms Clarke at the scene.

“It was a very rainy day and after the collision, there were members of the public helping [Ms Clarke],” he added.

“My client remained by Ms Clarke. There was an umbrella and a coat put over her.”

She pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving at a previous hearing in November.

Sentencing Brokane on December 13, magistrate Christopher MacKenny imposed a 14-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

“Ms Brokane, this accident has caused a significant impact on Ms Clark affecting all aspects of her life,” he said.

Mr MacKenny also disqualified her from driving for a year and told her she must retake her test before she can get behind the wheel again.

A court surcharge of £154 must also be paid within 28 days.