Motorist Pleads Guilty To Backing Into Window Cleaners Ladder

Window cleaner, Richard Walker was working by illegally parked cars in Market St, Ulverston, when one reversed & knocked him off his ladder. The result left Richard Walker with significant injuries & wheelchair bound.

Motorist pleads guilty to backing into window cleaner up a ladder: Richard Walker was cleaning windows in Market Street, Ulverston, when a car parked on double yellow lines suddenly crashed into his ladder. The driver, Ian Rankin Ross, 75, from the Wirral appeared in Furness Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with driving without due care and attention. The court heard how Ross had been in Betfred on Wednesday July 8 and when he came out of the shop and got into his car he didn’t notice the ladder behind him.

Prosecutor Mr John Appleby said: “Mr Walker is a retired gentlemen working as a window cleaner and at around 11.15am on this day he was cleaning windows on Market Street, in Ulverston. “The bottom of his ladder was on the pavement and he was about three quarters of the way up the ladder.

“He had noticed the car parked on the double yellow lines outside the betting shop and he heard the engine start. “The next thing he knew was the ladder was sliding – he shouted out to the driver but he didn’t stop. “He fell from the ladder and landed on the pavement on his feet. He then fell over.”

The court heard how Mr Walker didn’t realise the extent of his injuries until he tried to stand back up and realised he couldn’t. Mr Appleby said: “The driver got out of his car and approached Mr Walker. He was very apologetic.” Mr Walker sustained a fracture to his left tibia and a fracture to his right foot.

A few weeks after the accident he had an operation on his left leg and will be having physiotherapy for the next four months. Mr Appleby said: “As a result of this accident he is in a wheelchair and finds it difficult to leave the house. “The accident has impacted him greatly and has made him feel quite low.”

Ross, who represented himself in court pleaded guilty to the charge. He said: “It was my fault for not noticing him. “I am very sorry for the gentlemen and wish him a speedy recovery.” Ross was ordered to pay £85 court costs, a £200 fine, £20 victim surcharge and £150 criminal court charge. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and will be forced to retake his driving test after the ban. Presiding magistrate, Alison Spurgeon-Dickson, said: “You have been disqualified because this was a very serious accident which caused significant injuries leaving the person involved wheel chair bound.”