A Whangarei mother who has never held a driver's licence has been jailed after causing the death of a pedestrian near a popular park.
Babette Draper, 38, told police she was unable to stop her car reversing rapidly on Rurumoki St at Mair Park as her jandal was caught between the accelerator and brake pedal on May 18.
Draper was sentenced to six weeks in jail on both charges when she appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court this week.
She earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of careless and inconsiderate vehicle operation causing the death of Natalie Ahlers and another of being an unlicensed driver.
Judge Greg Davis said despite being convicted four times for driving while forbidden and having never held a driver's licence, Draper chose to purchase a car. He said on the fifth occasion she decided to again get behind the wheel, she caused a person's death.
She has nine previous convictions for non-compliance that includes four for driving while forbidden, two for breaching community detention, two for failing to answer District Court bail and one for giving false details.
In addition, the judge said Draper had 16 convictions for dishonesty offending.
Judge Davis said on May 18 this year Draper drove to Rurumoki St with her son and a friend.
While parking, the front wheels became stuck.
A member of the public and her passengers helped by pushing the car while Draper sat in the driver's seat.
The car suddenly gained traction, hit the sealed road and reversed rapidly out of control in an arc down Rurumoki St.
The vehicle hit Ms Ahlers who was walking nearby.
Draper's car pinned Ms Ahlers against a parked car.
Draper said she was unable to stop her car as her jandal got caught in between the accelerator and the brake pedal.
Her lawyer John Day advocated for a sentence of home detention which he said was still a serious penalty.
At least Draper had the car warranted and registered, he submitted.
But Judge Davis said her choosing to drive despite never having a licence was a significant aggravating factor and one that warranted a prison term.
He accepted her remorse, saying one had to have a cold heart not to feel remorse having caused the death of someone in such a manner.
Judge Davis said Draper's jandal got stuck because she chose to drive when she wasn't legally competent to do so.
Draper was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver's licence for one year.