IT took fire-fighters an hour to cut learner driver Reeta Pate from her car after she was involved in a crash on a foggy morning at Four Gotes, a court heard. Pate had been overtaking a lorry along the A1101 when she collided with an oncoming vehicle. She

IT took fire-fighters an hour to cut learner driver Reeta Pate from her car after she was involved in a crash on a foggy morning at Four Gotes, a court heard.

Pate had been overtaking a lorry along the A1101 when she collided with an oncoming vehicle. She suffered five broken bones and was off work for four months.

Appearing before Fenland magistrates on Wednesday, Pate, 46, of Guild Road, Wisbech, admitted careless driving, and driving unsupervised and without L-plates.

Minister Clive Butcher spoke to the court on her behalf, explaining that Pate believed the goods vehicle started to accelerate as she overtook it.

She had believed a driving permit from India allowed her to drive in the UK for a year after she obtained it. In fact it only covered her for the first year of her residency.

Pate, who works at Rose Lodge care home, Wisbech, was fined £200 with £35 costs and five points were endorsed on her licence.