A MAN has avoided jail after admitting causing the death of a 79-year-old woman by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Jill Crisp sadly passed away after being hit by a van in Christchurch on January 13 last year.

The driver of the van, Brian Martindale, of Bournemouth, was sentenced at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday (March 6).

The 57-year-old was made the subject of a community order, with a requirement to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £95.

Martindale was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

The tragic crash happened at around 11.40am on Thursday, January 13 last year in Airfield Way, involving a Mercedes Sprinter dropside lorry which had struck Mrs Crisp.

She was treated for serious injuries, but despite the best efforts of paramedics she sadly died at the scene.

Witnesses described how Mrs Crisp was crossing the road when the lorry, being driven by Martindale, pulled out into the road and into her path.

After the sentencing, Mrs Crisp’s family has paid tribute to a ‘real-life superhero’.

“She was kind, selfless, always putting others before her own needs/wants,” they said.

“She was integral to our family and her family was so important to her. She was such an amazing role model, our real-life superhero who held us all together.

“She is so missed, we will be forever heartbroken.”

Sergeant Jay Griffin, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Jill Crisp and clearly no sentence will ever compensate for the loss they have endured.

“This case is another tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of even a momentary lapse in concentration when behind the wheel of a vehicle and I hope it serves as a reminder to motorists of the need to drive carefully and considerately at all times.”