An 88-year-old motorist whose car was in collision with a pedestrian at Mawnan Smith had been unable to read a car registration number within the required 20 metres.

Veronica Catherine Chegwidden, of Shute Hill, Mawnan Smith, was tested by a police officer at the scene, Truro magistrates heard.

She told the magistrates she had surrendered her driving licence shortly afterwards and did not intend to drive again.

She pleaded guilty to being unable to comply with the Road Traffic Act requirement.

Gail Hawkley, for the CPS, said on October 29 at 10am her vehicle was in collision with 73-year-old Edwin Watson, a pedestrian, who was in the road using a leaf blower.

Chegwidden said he had walked into her stationary car and fallen over the leaf blower, causing himself facial injuries.

Police at the scene questioned her about her eyesight. She said she required prescription glasses to drive but had not been wearing them that morning. Asked to read a car registration plate at 20m she was unable to do so, and could only read it at 9.14 metres.

She said later she had seen the man with the leaf blower ahead of her in the road. She stopped her car to ask him what he was doing, and suddenly felt a thump at the side of her car and he was lying face down on the ground.

Chegwidden told the magistrates: “I am sorry, but I did see him quite clearly. I can see quite clearly in front of me. He could not have seen me at all with the blower in front of him.”

She was given a conditional discharge for six months, told to pay £75 costs and surcharge, and given three points on her licence.