A former Droitwich woman died 49 days after banging her head in a road accident on a traffic island.

Edith Lawrence, aged 84, was a rear seat passenger in a car on her way to meet friends for Sunday breakfast.

But Richard Morgan, who was transporting people to church in a Ford Transit, "failed to see" the car as he negotiated the roundabout and shunted it into a bollard, said Paul Whitfield, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

The car suffered a severe jolt in the crash but all five occupants were able to walk away before being taken for a medical check-up.

At hospital Mrs Lawrence became unwell and slipped into a coma. Despite a brain operation, she died from a head injury and bronchial pneumonia.

Morgan, aged 35, of Holland Road, Leominster, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Judge Richard Rundell said with six people in his charge Morgan should have exercised "a high degree of care".

The defendant's suggestion to police that a vehicle blind-spot may have caused the accident called for extra vigilance.

The judge said nothing he could do could reflect the loss of the victim but he accepted that Morgan was truly remorseful.

He was sentenced to 28 weeks custody, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned for 15 months and must take an extended driving test on its expiry.

Mrs Lawrence had moved from Droitwich to live with a relative in Ibberton Road, Warstock, Birmingham, shortly before she was injured on January 4 this year.

The accident occurred in Wythall, near Redditch, after Morgan, a recovered drug addict, drove from Windmill House in Alvechurch, where he helped other addicts kick their habits.

Mr Whitfield said Mrs Lawrence was described by her family as being "as bright as a button". Her death had left "a gaping chasm".

Morgan was usually a careful driver and had found it difficult to cope with the tragedy, said his barrister Andrew Davidson.

"He feels deadful about what happened," he added. "He accepted full responsibility from the outset and never attempted to blame others."