A YELVERTON woman who drove on the wrong side of the road crashed into an oncoming vehicle and injured four people, Plymouth Crown Court this week heard.

Fern Zubka-Hill, aged 20, pulled out to see the number plate of a motorcyclist who had hit her wing mirror, the court was told.

She ignored chevrons and keep-left signs until she collided head-on with a car carrying four adults in the busy road. One 71-year-old passenger was left with a string of injuries, including a broken pelvis and a detached sternum.

Judge Paul Darlow told her: 'As a result of the way you drove your car that day the lives of four people have been dramatically altered.'

But he said the offence was 'out of character' and said that the defendant herself had suffered a serious injury.

He handed her a ten-week prison sentence, but suspended it for two years. She was banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay £1,200 in prosecution costs.

Zubka-Hill, of Moorland Road, Yelverton, admitted causing serious injury to Kenneth Hall by driving dangerously on May 18 last year.

Julia Cox, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said witnesses saw a motorcyclist shaking his head and gesturing towards Zubka-Hill's car at traffic lights in Plymouth. She added the motorcyclist later struck the side of the car with his fist before pulling away.

Miss Cox said a witness saw the Kia pull out and overtake one car at an estimated 50 to 55mph. The speed limit was 40mph in the area.

She told the court that Zubka-Hill pulled out again and stayed on the wrong side of the road, crossing chevrons and going the wrong side of the chevrons.

Miss Cox said the Kia collided with an oncoming Peugeot 207 in which Mr Hall was a passenger.

The car was driven by his daughter and contained his 68-year-old wife and granddaughter.

Miss Cox said all four were injured, with Mrs Hall suffering a fracture to her lower spine.

She read a statement from Mr Hall, from St Ives, which said he was still in pain and had trouble walking any distance.

Ali Rafati, for Zubka-Hill, said she made one bad decision which led to a 'catalogue of disasters'. He added she also suffered a broken back and spent nine weeks in hospital. She was still on reduced hours at work.