A fashion student who ploughed her car into a family home and caused £15,000 worth of damage has lost her driving licence.
Charley Sandberg was driving along Main Road in Terrington St John on August 16 last year when she failed to slow down for a junction.
Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday how the 19-year-old hit a bollard and then crashed into the front of a house located opposite.
A family of five, including two young children, were asleep inside the home at the time and were uninjured.
In statement read out in court, grandmother Katherine Lewis said she woke up to a loud bang at around 5am and the sound of her grandchildren screaming.
She said: “I actually thought a lorry had hit something. We went to the top of the stairs and saw a car had come through the front of the house.
“Bricks were still tumbling, and we were scared the car would blow up.”
Sandberg, who is a second-year fashion student at the University for the Creative Arts, was driving a Mini Cooper bought by her parents in May 2014.
The court heard how she was following a friend back home and did not spot a give-way junction.
Prosecutor Kim Reeves said the defendant had consumed alcohol prior to the crash, but was below the legal limit.
Sandberg, of Barton Green, Wisbech, initially left the scene in a panic, but later returned and admitted to police that she was the driver. A mitigation statement read out in court said: “Her recollection was that she was travelling at no more than 30mph, but failed to see the junction.
“It is certain that the events of Sunday, August 16 will stay with Miss Sandberg for a very long time indeed.”
Sandberg, who did not appear in court for the sentencing, pleaded guilty to driving without due care.
She was given six points on her licence, fined £120, must pay £40 towards costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Because she has held her licence for less than two years, it means it will now be revoked.
The DVLA said she will now have to pay and pass both parts of her driving test again to get a full licence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here