A man who crashed into a woman’s car and sent her and her children careering into the side of a hotel has been fined £120.

Robert Stronghill was arrested on suspicion of driving while being unfit through drink or drugs. At the police station he was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The incident in Milton Road, Gravesend, was on Wednesday, October 19.

His car hit the woman’s and it sent her skidding into railings at a pedestrian crossing. The car then ricocheted off and into the wall of the Shamrock Guest house on the opposite side of the road.

Stronghill, of The Terrace, Gravesend, appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, the minimum ban for this offence.

The 39-year-old was also fined £120, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30, and offered the drink driving course.

The woman, in her 30s, was seriously injured during the collision and taken to King’s College Hospital, London, in a semi-conscious state. She was discharged after a few days.

Two children in the car with her also sustained minor injuries.

Kevin Scallon was staying at the guest house that night when he heard three huge bangs just outside his window.

When he looked out he saw two crashed vehicles and a woman getting out of one of them.

He and colleagues Martin Birt and Jimmy McMullan rushed to help, as the woman collapsed.
She was kept warm as people threw down blankets and pillows from their rooms.

As emergency services made their way, ambulance staff told Mr Scallon, an electrician, over the phone how to perform CPR on her.

He said: “They just told me to keep going until I was exhausted. Eventually she started to come back round, her eyes flickered. It was very emotional.”