A BUS driver who unknowingly dragged a pensioner under his bus has been fined £750 and banned from driving for a year.

Robert Harvey admitted careless driving when he appeared before Consett magistrates.

Jenny Spedding, 86, died when she was dragged under the Arriva bus for half-a-mile through Durham City, in February last year.

Prosecutor Sharon Nevison said Harvey was pulling out of the bus station on his way to East Hedleyhope when the accident happened.

CCTV footage showed Mrs Spedding, of Local Avenue, Sherburn Hill, walk in front of the bus and 'literally disappear' leaving only her two bags, when the bus passed her.

Eye witness Gordon Gondona tried unsuccessfully to alert the driver by sounding his horn, but the bus travelled half-a-mile before Mrs Spedding's body was released.

Harvey, 62, of Langley Park, told police his attention had been drawn to a mother with a child in a pushchair crossing the road and that he had been oblivious to the fact he had knocked down Mrs Spedding.

David Lamb, defending, said it was a 'momentary inattention' which led to tragedy. He said Harvey felt great remorse and continued to be affected by the incident.