A pensioner who tripped while crossing a poorly maintained road has won a five-figure sum in compensation.

Jean Whitters, 88, was crossing the road in Yeadon, West Yorkshire, at a designated crossing point when she tripped on uneven brickwork. She fell to the ground, suffering two black eyes and torn tendons and muscles in her shoulder. More than eighteen months later she still suffers from the after-effects of the fall, as she is unable to carry out household tasks that she used to do prior to the accident.

Mrs Whitters sought compensation from Leeds City Council. Initially, the Council denied liability for her injuries. However, local councillors had pointed out that the section of the road where the accident happened was in an appalling condition and the problem had been highlighted in the local newspaper.

Eventually, the Council admitted that it had failed to maintain the road properly at the crossing point and undertook to carry out remedial work to strengthen the surface in order to prevent it deteriorating again.

A settlement of £14,000 has now been agreed.