A PENSIONER who drove with his legs crossed and smashed into a lorry, killing his partner, has been banned from driving for life.

Michael Stewart had his left foot on the accelerator to relieve back pain moments before the fatal crash on the A338 at Breamore, near Fordingbridge.

Mum-of-two Linda Williams, 61, who was the front seat passenger in his Vauxhall Astra, died after Stewart ploughed into a stationary lorry that had stopped behind a car that was signalling to turn off the road.

After the accident on April 29 last year, the 77-year-old told paramedics and police that he had been unable to untangle his legs to slam on the brakes in time to stop.

However, in subsequent interviews and in court Stewart said he had been misunderstood. He told jurors at Southampton Crown Court that he had been driving in that position earlier in the day but not at the time of the crash.

A jury found Stewart, of Patmore Link Road, Hemel Hempstead, guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge Patrick Hooton sentenced him to a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, and a 12-month supervision order. He also imposed a lifetime driving ban.

He said: “I am sure you realise you have caused untold misery. In a moment of carelessness you deprived her family of a loved one and took the life of someone who you say you loved.”

In a statement read out in court Mrs Williams’ sister Jean Russell described her a devoted mother and loving sister whose death had left an “enormous void”.