Exclusive:Sheffield headteacher ran two pedestrians over in car park after taking shortcut
“This case is a very strict illustration of what can happen when anyone who is driving a motor vehicle does not give their full attention”
A Sheffield headteacher left two pedestrians seriously injured when she ran them over in a car park, after taking a shortcut.
Laura Watton, aged 40, is believed to have caused the crash following a “momentary lapse in concentration”.
Both of the women Watton struck with her Mini Cooper suffered serious injuries, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Complainant one sustained a wrist fracture and a leg fracture, which required knee surgery, while complainant two suffered a blood clot to her left shin, which became infected, as well as swelling and bruising.
They were chatting in a school car park after attending choir practice at Sheffield Springs Academy, Arbourthorne, when they were struck by Watton on the evening of February 1, 2024.
Elsewhere at Springs Academy, Watton, who is headteacher of Mossbrook School in Meadowhead, had been leading a football practice session.
Sentencing the headteacher on August 11, 2026, Judge Anthony Dunne said: “This case is a very strict illustration of what can happen when anyone who is driving a motor vehicle does not give their full attention to their driving.”
He continued: “I’m sure no-one is suggesting you set out to harm anybody that evening. But you decided to take effectively a shortcut through the car park…you never needed to do so.
“You struck two pedestrians who were doing nothing more than standing in the car park, speaking to each other.”
Prosecutor, Georgia Keeton-Williams, said. “The defendant got into her own car, cut through that car park...she connected with both complainants.”
In statements to the court, the two complainants detailed their prolonged recovery journeys, and also described the emotional and psychological impact of the collision.
Complainant one said her crash injuries continue to cause her pain, two years on, and she has also had to undergo physiotherapy in order to be able to walk unaided again.
In addition to anxiety linked to the collision, Complainant one said she had missed several months of work, and her partner had also taken time off work to care for her.
In her statement, complainant two said she too still experiences physical limitations as a result of her injuries, and has been left with an unsightly indentation on her leg.
In addition, complainant two described experiencing flashbacks.
Watton, of More Hall Lane, Deepcar, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving at an earlier hearing.
Defending, Richard Adams said: “She has demonstrated just how remorseful she was and still is.”
He referred Judge Dunne to the numerous character references and a pre-sentence report, which reveal her to be an “exemplary person in a number of respects”.
Mr Adams detailed her "significant public service” through her work as the “regional head of special educational needs across the entire South Yorkshire estate”.
Judge Dunne handed Watton a 12-month community order, with a requirement to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Watton was also ordered to pay £199, comprised of costs and a victim surcharge.