A PENSIONER, whose driving resulted in the death of a doctor's wife, is having sleepless nights over the incident, a court heard yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates were told that seven months later, John Coughtrey, 68, was still trying to come to terms with the death of Jennifer Brown, 64.

She died when her Ford Ka - being driven home after a night out by her husband, retired Ripon GP Dr Ian Brown collided with Coughtrey's Volvo.

Coughtrey, of Dragon Parade, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to careless driving.

Court chairman David Uffindall was told he was filled with remorse and would still lie awake at nights wondering how the accident happened.

Susan Kerr, prosecuting, said Coughtrey had been to the village pub at Burton Leonard, near Ripon, for a meal three days before Christmas. As he left for home along Station Lane, Dr Brown was driving towards the village.

Dr Brown had been travelling at 45 to 50mph when he was confronted by Coughtrey on the wrong side of the road and the two cars collided.

Mrs Kerr said both drivers had been breathalysed with negative results.

Fining Coughtrey £1,000 with £75 costs and six penalty points, Mr Uffindall told him: "The offence is careless driving but the consequences of that act were obviously much more serious than normal.''

Mr Uffindall told Coughtrey the court had taken into account exemplary references "commenting on your contribution to society through community groups and the like".