Mercedes driven through classroom wall when mum 'suffered seizure before crash'
A mum who drove her Mercedes through a classroom wall told how she suffered a seizure in the run-up to the crash.
Joanna Murray smashed the car into a wall at The Beacon Church of England Primary School on Heyworth Street in Everton during a school run on April 22 last year.
The 41-year-old appeared in Sefton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
It heard how she previously pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving and pleaded not guilty to failure to provide a specimen for analysis.
In a statement read to the court, on behalf of Murray by her solicitor Richard Oldroyd, she said she failed to notify the DVLA of any medical conditions and had not suffered a seizure in two years.
As Murray wept in the dock while wearing a black suit and white shirt, District Judge Paul Healey said the crash caused "catastrophic damage" to the school, although no one was injured in the crash.
As part of the basis of her guilty plea, Murray said she did not remember the crash but later found out she had suffered a seizure while driving.
Our sister title, the Liverpool Echo, reports the crash happened at 8.30am on the Monday. A parent told how the crash happened just 10 minutes before the school was due to open.
In a clip of the incident, a person can be seen walking through the scene, where a gaping hole can be seen in the side of the building. Rubble and debris can also be seen strewn all over the floor of the room where toys and desks once sat neatly.
The footage shows a toy kitchen and child-sized bookshelves flipped over. The white car was in front of a door, with anything that was in its path crushed to the front of it.
Originally scheduled for trial, the case was adjourned after a key witness was unable to attend court.
A new date has been set for December 9, 2025, at Sefton Magistrates' Court. Murray was granted unconditional bail.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Man arrested during demonstrations outside hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk
Officers from Police Scotland confirmed a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged breach of a cordon line. A man has been arrested during demonstrations outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk. Officers from Police Scotland confirmed a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged breach of a cordon line at Kemper Avenue on Saturday, August 16. The arrest took place while a protest against a hotel housing asylum seekers and anti-racism counter protesters was taking place in the town. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the counter demonstration on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as 'go home', 'enough is enough' and 'we want our country back'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Kemper Avenue in Falkirk has reopened following protest activity which began around 11am on Saturday, 16 August, 2025. "A proportionate policing plan was in place to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the local community. A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the cordon line. "Motorists are thanked for their patience."
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Woman caught performing sex act in doorway sentenced for outraging public decency
Sarah Crawford, 40, was given a suspended prison sentence. A woman who was caught performing a sex act with another woman in a shop doorway and went on to assault a police officer in another incident has dodged jail. Sarah Crawford was heavily intoxicated after attending an all-night party when she was involved in a "sex act" with Rosalind Fitzgerald near a store on York Road, in Birtley. A court heard that the pair took part in the sex act at 8.45am and in full view of members of the public. Children were also said to be in the area, reports the Chronicle. Crawford was again in trouble with the police in June following an outburst in Durham city centre. The 40-year-old assaulted a police officer after throwing items of shop stock in the street. When she was taken to a police cell, she "defecated" inside it, causing damage. Newcastle Magistrates' Court previously heard that on December 11 last year, police received reports that Crawford and Fitzgerald were "engaging in sexual activity" in Birtley. Chike Anieto, prosecuting, said: "Children were present in the area. A witness says it was the other party and the defendant performing a sex act. "The defendant then proceeded to urinate. Following this incident police attended and arrested the defendant. There were extensive calls to police by other members of the public about what was going on in the area." At a hearing in May, Fitzgerald was given a 12-month community order and fined £120 for her involvement in the bizarre incident. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. On Friday, Crawford, of no fixed address, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for outraging public decency, a public order offence, criminal damage, and assaulting a police officer. She had pleaded guilty to the offences. She was sentenced to four months prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also given 25 rehabilitation activity days, which must be completed in six months. She was also fined and ordered to pay compensation. Crawford previously told magistrates that she no longer wants to drink alcohol, saying: "I no longer want that life anymore". She was said to be "embarrassed and sorry" for her offending.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Girl, 13, dies as boy arrested on suspicion of murder and rape
The 13-year-old's death is currently being treated as unexplained. A 13-year-old girl has tragically died after being found unresponsive in a flat with a boy arrested on suspicion of rape and murder. The teenager, named locally as Casey, is believed to have been living in Liverpool under the care system, and had travelled to Huddersfield on Monday, August 11. She was found unresponsive later that day, when emergency services were called to an apartment on Sheepridge Road, Sheepridge, in Huddersfield, the ECHO reports. She was taken to hospital, where she died in the early hours of Tuesday, August 12. The cause of her death remains undetermined, with a post mortem examination calling it "unexplained pending further investigation". A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and rape in relation to Casey's death. He has also been arrested for an alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl in what police have referred to as a "separate incident" elsewhere in Kirklees. He has since been released on conditional bail, West Yorkshire Police said. The news of the incident has shocked the local community. Local MP Harpreet Uppal said: "This is a tragic case and my thoughts remain with the 13 year old teenager and her family and friends. I have been in contact with the police and I am being updated on the investigation. "Detectives are working tirelessly to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the girl's death which is being treated as unexplained after a post mortem could not establish how she died. Enquiries remain ongoing by detectives." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A spokesperson for the force said: "Detectives are working to fully understand the circumstances of the girl's death which is being treated as unexplained after a post mortem could not establish how she died. "The 16-year-old was also released on conditional police bail regarding an offence of rape relating to a 16-year-old girl from a separate incident elsewhere in Kirklees. Enquires into both incidents remain ongoing by detectives." The Force's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team is spearheading the investigation, which police have described as being "complex" and "likely to be lengthy".
