A NEWLY qualified driver who killed a pensioner just weeks after passing her test has walked free from court.

Hanna Lewis, 18, from Llandovery, West Wales, admitted to dangerous driving after she ploughed head on into Bryan Smithers, 79, in his Range Rover.

4 Hanna Lewis was a 17-year-old school girl at the time of the crash Credit: Wales News Service

It was revealed in court that she had tried to take a corner at 55mph, when she lost control of her Audi.

Mr Smithers, who was working as an accountant, was on his way home from his local bridge club when the fatal collision took place.

4 Lewis pictured outside Swansea Crown Court Credit: Wales News Service

4 It was allegedly the first time she had driven at night Credit: Wales News Service

The court heard that she had tried in vain to save him but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lewis' friend and front seat passenger, Bronwen Tinney, suffered serious back injuries.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Lewis, who was 17-year-old school girl at the time, had passed just 12 weeks before the accident near Carmarthen on August 29 last year.

It was allegedly the first time she had driven at night.

4 Her friend who was in the car at the time suffered serious back injuries Credit: Wales News Service

Georgina Buckley, prosecuting, said she took a sweeping left hand bend too fast and slewed onto the wrong side of the road.

Lewis, of Llandovery, west Wales, admitted death by careless driving. She was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years.

The university student has also been ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Her friend, Bronwen Tinney, suffered serious back injuries.

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Judge Keith Thomas told Lewis, "You were inexperienced at driving and particularly at night.

"It has had a devastating effect on Mr Smithers' family.

"But life cannot be measured by a court sentence."

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