Obese Driver Who Killed Jogger Is Jailed Despite Claiming She's 'Too Fat For Prison'

A morbidly obese motorist who killed a jogger begged a judge not to jail her - because she is too fat for prison.

Linda Ann Jenns, 49, who weighs 30 stone, hit Paul Stinton after jumping a red light in her white Ford Kuga in Ashford, Kent.

A jury found her guilty of causing the death of the 45 year-old father of-four by dangerous driving after three days' deliberation.

Her barrister Ian Bridge urged a judge not to jail 'grossly overweight, morbidly obese' Jenns because she wouldn't be able to cope with life behind bars.

But Judge Heather Norton ignored the mitigation and jailed her for two-and-a-half years at Canterbury Crown Court.

Mr Bridge said Jenns had a stroke seven years ago and at the time of the crash was receiving treatment for her weight problem.

He said she had lost between five and six stone and was hoping for a gastric band to be fitted which would increase her life expectancy quite dramatically.

He told the court: 'She is grossly overweight, morbidly obese and since the incident has put on even more weight.

'She is a person for whom a prison sentence would be extraordinarily difficult and I don't think I exaggerate when I say she might not get through it.'

Judge Norton had adjourned sentence for two weeks pending medical reports and granted Jenns bail.

The barrister claimed that one of Jenns' relatives had to be taken out of school after allegations of bullying after her conviction.

Unusually Jenns was allowed to enter the crown court through a side door rather than the public entrance after an application from her lawyers.

He said that Jenns, who pleaded not guilty to causing Mr Stinton's death by driving dangerously, was 'very, very, very sorry for what happened.'

Jenns, of Ashford, Kent, maintained that she had not jumped the red light.

She tried to argue that Mr Stinton - whose fiance Ulrika Wernmark sat in the public gallery - had crossed against a red pedestrian light.

But the judge told her: 'Mr Stinton's actions did not contribute significantly  to the likelihood of a collision.

'The collision came about because you drove through a red light. It is that simple.'

She added: 'You were driving too fast for the wet conditions and you jumped the lights.'

Prosecutor Simon Taylor said some witnesses estimated Jenns' speed at up to 70 mph although an expert said she was probably within the 40 mph speed limit.

Mr Stinton was airlifted to hospital by air ambulance with head, chest, neck and abdominal injuries but died three weeks after the crash in January.