A 79-year-old motorist whose dangerous driving in Stevenage landed herself and three others in hospital with serious injuries has been banned from the road and given a suspended jail term.

Pamela Collett, of Mandeville Road in Enfield, admitted three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving when she appeared before Stevenage magistrates – those injured in the three-vehicle A602 crash including her own husband, who was in the front passenger seat.

Magistrates chaired by Leah Bretton handed Mrs Collett a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and also barred her from holding a driving licence for four years.

Mrs Collett was driving a green Vauxhall Astra in Stevenage on December 16 last year when she caused the crash – also involving a black Ford Fiesta and a white and blue artic lorry – on Broadhall Way, at the roundabout for Shephall Way.

She and her husband were both taken to Lister Hospital with serious injuries, with those in the Fiesta – Tracey Brown and her then-14-year-old twin sons Jamie and Jordan – all taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Jordan was discharged soon after, but his brother and mum were kept in for four and five days respectively.

Tracey suffered five broken ribs and a collapsed lung, while Barnwell School student Jamie was left with breathing difficulties due to a hole in his lung.

Tracey told the Comet three weeks later: “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through and I’m just glad we’re all alive.”

The lorry driver suffered shock but did not require hospital treatment.

In addition to the suspended jail term, Mrs Collett must also pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.