A businessman who drove over and killed a "much-loved, passionate and inspirational" social worker while out riding her bicycle has been spared jail.

Carl Brownlie was at the wheel of a Vauxhall Insignia when he crossed paths with Jacqueline McFarling in Ramsgate.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that although his car did not hit the 55-year-old, she lost control and fell to the ground as he emerged from Montefiore Avenue at the junction with Dumpton Park Drive.

Having failed to see Ms McFarling, who worked with deaf adults for Kent County Council, Brownlie continued driving forward, trapping her underneath his car.

An off-duty student nurse, paramedics and firefighters were among those who tried to help but her injuries were said to be "completely unsurvivable" and she was sadly declared dead at the scene.

Tributes paid at the time to the Broadstairs resident described her as someone who "spread love and light wherever she went", and there was a huge outpouring of warmth and support for her family.

Now, a judge has expressed his hope that her legacy will "continue to shine bright in all the hearts" of those who knew her.

Brownlie, who according to Companies House runs a fire sprinkler company, had initially denied a charge of causing death by careless driving and was due to stand trial next year.

However, having pleaded guilty to the offence at a further hearing in July, the 45-year-old appeared for sentencing on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Steven Attridge told the hearing Ms McFarling was riding her Scott SR bike along Dumpton Park Drive and was an "experienced, confident, and competent" cyclist.

The road and weather were dry, there were no defects with the surface or the Vauxhall, and the area, albeit in daytime hours, had ample street lighting.

Brownlie, of Botany Road, Broadstairs, had arrived at the T-junction, marked with a 'double-dotted' stop line, with the intention of turning right.

Mr Attridge said a collision investigator later concluded that Ms McFarling would have been visible to Brownlie for up to four seconds, if not longer.

However, he failed to see her and, having started his manoeuvre onto the main road, she lost control, fell off her bike, and was run over.

Student nurse Gillian Abbott was one of the first on the scene following the collision just after 4.30pm on January 14, 2022.

Brownlie was said to appear "panicked" and in "a lot of shock", said Mr Attridge, and when asked by Ms Abbott what had happened, he replied that he didn't know.

He later stated: "I didn't see her coming. She came from nowhere."

Explaining how Ms McFarling did not fall as a result of any impact with the Vauxhall and referencing the expert's report, Mr Attridge added: "He concluded that she was lying down at the point the defendant's car travelled over her.

"The defendant had reached the junction at or about the same time as Ms McFarling, she being available to be seen on his right as she rode along Dumpton Park Drive, and available to be seen for at least 3.6 seconds prior to the collision but likely slightly longer than that.

"There was no obvious reason why he didn't see Ms McFarling. He (the expert) concluded there were insufficient observations made by the defendant, despite looking to his right, and due to the forward motion of the car, she lost control of the bicycle, fell to the ground, and then the defendant travelled forward and over Ms McFarling."

When interviewed by police a month later, Brownlie described how he had slowly approached the end of Montefiore Avenue, looked both ways and, not seeing anyone approaching, pulled out.

However, he described hearing a noise which "sounded like a bicycle" and, having got out of his car, saw one at the rear wheel.

"He said he thought someone had dumped the bicycle there... but then realised there might have been a rider so went to the rear of the car to see," explained the prosecutor.

"He thought there would just be someone sitting there so he came to the conclusion the bike had been left on the floor.

"The defendant went back to the front of his car, whereupon he saw the deceased underneath the front of the vehicle."

Brownlie also told police he had stopped at the junction for three to five seconds and could see far enough down the road to feel safe to pull out, following another car as he did so.

The court heard he has no previous convictions or cautions and has held a full driving licence since 1996, with no penalty points or endorsements.

Details of Ms McFarling's life, and the powerful impact she had on family, friends, colleagues and clients, were described in two statements written by her husband Don Gray and brother Thomas McFarling.

Neither were able to be at the hearing but her stepfather of 45-years, Peter Mallinson, read them out on their behalf.

Mr Gray detailed how she had moved from Bristol to Kent in 2005 to become a social worker, helping the deaf in their homes, hospital, workplace and even prison.

She had her own hearing impairment and was also a sign language user.

Describing his wife as "a true advocate" for the deaf community in the county, Mr Gray said: "She was very passionate and proud of her job and very well-respected by both colleagues and clients. She was so well-loved by everyone she met.

"She was such an inspiration - happy and encouraging and always there willing to help and support anyone."

The court heard she was also a keen sea swimmer and runner, as well as devoted Buddhist and a sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Speaking of the consequences of her "unnecessary death", Mr Gray said: "I have lost my loyal, beautiful, fun-loving soul mate, the person who completed and made me whole.

"Life will not be the same without my darling Jacqueline."

Mr McFarling described his sister as "one of life's bright sparks" who shared her "constant optimism" with everyone.

He said she was also someone who sought "understanding and forgiveness" and, with that in mind, he expressed the shared hope that Mr Brownlie could come to terms himself with what had happened.

Both he and his brother-in-law also expressed the family's anguish at having waited two-and-a-half years for criminal proceedings to conclude.

Although Brownlie was interviewed by police a month after the tragedy, his first court appearance was not until March this year.

David Claxton, defending, said Brownlie was "genuinely troubled by his incapability to explain" what had happened that fateful afternoon.

Describing the manoeuvre as comparable to a U-turn - "allowable but risky" - the lawyer added: "A momentary lapse of concentration is not a perfect encapsulation but not a bad way to explain that phenomenon of looking but not seeing."

Brownlie, he said, was "fundamentally decent", with two biological children and guardianship of a third with his wife.

"He could not be more remorseful. His regret is incalculable," he told the court.

In deciding the appropriate punishment was a seven-month jail term suspended for 18 months, Judge Mark Weekes said he had taken into account the defendant's positive character, the realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the fact he poses no risk to the public, and that immediate custody would have a significant adverse effect on his family.

But he criticised his delay in accepting his guilt and, having remarked that any sentence may be regarded by Ms McFarling's family as being insufficient to mark their loss, told Brownlie the condition that he carry out 280 hours of unpaid work was imposed "to bring home to you how close you came to going to custody".

Of Ms McFarling herself, Judge Weekes said the "thoughtful, articulate and compassionate" victim personal statements clearly demonstrated how "loved and respected" she was, and that her family still feel "the pain of their grief" at losing such "a key part" of their lives.

"It appears to me that, in her own way, she was a remarkable woman who worked hard to get the best for and from those whose lives she touched and was a powerful force for good in her own community," he remarked.

"It is obvious that the world is a poorer place for her absence, and that her loss has left a gaping void in the lives of those closest to her.”

Although Judge Weekes rejected the assertion there had been a momentary lapse of concentration, he said he equally accepted that there was nothing "inherently unsafe" in the manoeuvre.

Brownlie, who at times appeared to be fighting back tears as he went into and then left the dock, was also given a 12-month driving ban and told to pay £1,630 court costs within six months.