Clacton: Mum wins bus company battle

From the archive, first published Thursday 8th Mar 2007.

A MOTHER-OF-THREE has won a two-year civil court case against a coach company.

A double-decker bus reversed into Monica Hope's car, near St Osyth Primary School, in July 2005.

The Hedingham Omnibuses vehicle caused more than £1,000 damage to the Mercedes.

The 36-year-old, of Point Clear, claimed she and two of her sons Ewan and Kyle, who were in the car, could have been crushed.

She was awarded £1,800.

Miss Hope said: "If it wasn't for the side-impact bars, my legs would have been crushed and I dread to think what would've happened to my children.

"The driver came to court with five witnesses and I went alone with no witnesses and won against them all.

"I am so proud that I took the time and had the guts to fight it.

"I hope it will inspire other people not to feel intimidated by companies."

Miss Hope admited the school was advising people not to park in the private road at the time, when she was picking up oldest son Callum, but insisted she was doing nothing wrong.

The Hedingham Omnibuses driver claimed she drove into him, but a judge at Colchester County Court found him guilty of driving without due care and responsibility.

Robert Macgregor, managing director, said: "It was a minor road traffic accident. Our bus was reversing and didn't see where she was.

"We disputed who was liable and the court decided in Miss Hope's favour.

"We will have to accept the decision and take it on the chin."