A WOMAN who slammed on her brakes causing a lorry to crash into her after she performed an illegal manoeuvre on the Ilminster Bypass has been given a community order.

Gillian Lilley, of Clovermead, Taunton, panicked when she was beeped by a lorry's driver after overtaking it, crossing the solid white line.

In a state of shock, she drove off from the scene of the crash but was caught on the victim’s dashboard camera.

She was identified from the footage and police found her vehicle, which had damage consistent with the crash. She blew a negative breath test and when interviewed by police said she had panicked and had no idea why she drove off.

Lilley, 52, pleaded guilty to driving a Nissan Qashqai dangerously on the A303 Ilminster Bypass on May 20.

She also admitted failing to stop after an accident where damage was caused to another vehicle when she appeared before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

Lucy Coleman, prosecuting, said Lilley was heading east on the Ilminster Bypass at the same time Mr Owens was driving his 40-tonne lorry accelerating away from the Southfields roundabout.

“The defendant overtook the lorry and crossed the solid white line and onto the outside lane of the carriageway and Mr Owens sounded his horn to warn her of oncoming traffic,” she said. “She completed the manoeuvre and returned to the correct side of the road but suddenly braked hard coming to a stop and the lorry driver was not able to stop and collided with the rear of Lilley’s vehicle.”

The lorry had panel damage to the front and damage to a headlight and radiator.

Chris Ivory, defending, said it was a very sad case as Lilley had never been in trouble before and had no blemishes on her driving record.

“This was completely out of character for her and on the day in question she had looked to see whether she could overtake the lorry as it was only driving at 25 to 30mph in a 60mph limit,” he explained.

“She looked down the road and accepts she crossed the double solid white lines and drove without due care and attention. However, she then went back in front of the lorry and was startled because he as beeping his horn and she slowed her car down because she was in a state of shock and the lorry then went into the back of her.

“She was scared and then drove off and it was that part of the incident which was when her driving became dangerous and damage was caused to the lorry.”

Probation officer Joe harper added: “She deeply regrets what she has done and realises she made a poor judgement in driving but believed she had plenty of room to manoeuvre at the time.”

Magistrates sentenced Lilley to a 12-month community order with a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity requirement and banned her from driving for 12 months, ordering her to complete an extended driving test before she can get back on the road.

She was also told to pay £445 fines and costs.

They also fined her £120 and ordered her to pay a £180 court charge, a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.