A DRIVER who knocked down and killed a great-grandmother as she crossed a Blackburn road has been sent to prison for 12 months.

Hussain Ali, of St Silas's Road, Blackburn, has also been banned from driving for two years after he struck 79-year-old Maria Parkinson while in his Volkswagen Golf.

The defendant had admitted driving over the 30mph speed limit in Spring Lane and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Mrs Parkinson'’s daughter Denise Scott, speaking after the hearing, said she felt the sentence represented justice for the family.

She added: “We always felt that while Ali was not prosecuted, the onus of blame was on mum and now it is not.

“That is all we ever wanted – some form of justice.

“We are happy with the result."

Mother-of-three Mrs Parkinson, a keen line dancer, had been to collect a prescription from the chemist when she was knocked down in July 2012.

Preston Crown Court heard at an earlier hearing that she had stepped out between two stationery vehicles and that Ali, 29, had tried to stop as soon as he saw her.

The pensioner suffered serious injuries and she died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death in April last year and no charges were immediately brought.

But in December, Ali returned from India after being told he faced prosecution relating to Mrs Parkinson’s death.

As well as the prison term and driving ban, Ali will also have to take an extended retest should he wish to drive again.

Mrs Scott, who lives in Cheshire, added: “I do feel sorry for Ali’s family because now somebody else is going through what we are going through, but you have to pay the price.

“At the end of the day, he did not set out to knock somebody down. But if you drive too fast, you have to pay the penalty.

“Somebody lost their life and paid the ultimate price and as a family, we are still paying the price."