A CARELESS driver who killed a 97-year-old war hero on a zimmer frame has walked free from court.

Ian Ross, 47, was “blinded” by the sun before ploughing into grandfather Richard Wood who was crossing Bridge Street in Knighton on February 16 last year.

Ross was driving under the 30mph speed limit and it is estimated he had eight seconds to see Mr Wood in the road. But a court heard he hit the “fit and lively” pensioner who went into cardiac arrest and died.

The court heard Mr Wood was an engineer who built Spitfire fighter planes in WWII.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard he was near his care home when he was hit by Ross, who runs a rally driving experience company.

Judge Neil Bidder QC told Ross: “Mr Wood was a remarkable man – he was loved by his family who were hoping he would reach his 100th birthday.

“No sentence I impose can take away the pain that you have caused.”

Father-of-three Ross admitted causing death by careless driving when the glare from the sun reflected off the wet road.

The judge told him: “The Highway Code recommends that drivers slow down or even stop if their vision is hampered.

“You continued to drive at 27mph which was not a safe speed because of the glare. Mr Wood was capable of being seen about eight seconds before the collision – which is a considerable time.”

Ross, of Knighton, was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community and banned from driving for two years.

Read the full story in this week's Brecon & Radnor Express.