SHE drove without a licence, knocked down two young schoolgirls, then fled the scene - and now Sarah Louise Gormley has walked free from court.

Gormley, 21, borrowed her boyfriend's BMW to take her brother to school, but crashed through a metal fence, hitting two pupils.

She then ran away from the scene, leaving her brother in the car.

The Evening Press reported on December 9, below, Gormley had pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the accident. That earlier court heard Gormley had not slept for 19 hours, and was unwell when she got behind the wheel.

At her sentencing yesterday, Selby magistrates ordered her to do 100 hours community service, and complete the Think First programme.

The accident occurred outside Holy Family Roman Catholic School, in Carlton, at about 8.50am, on November 15.

Prosecutor Martin Butterworth told the court: "Ms Gormley, who was driving her partner's BMW, approached the drop-off point outside the school when she lost control of the vehicle. It went out of control, hit a metal fence and, unfortunately, struck the pupils.

On the vehicle coming to rest, the defendant is described as leaving the vehicle on foot, and leaving her brother in the car."

Neither girl was seriously injured in the accident.

Mr Butterworth said Gormley, of Wetherill Street, Goole, had told police she had a coughing fit at the wheel. She admitted having no insurance, driving without a licence, not stopping after an accident and not reporting an accident.

Damien Morrison, mitigating, said Gormley had been "absolutely open and honest" about the incident.

Presiding magistrate Brian Shooter said Gormley could have faced a custodial sentence, but instead gave her a community punishment order. As well as the unpaid work and Think First programme, Gormley must attend sessions with the probation service.

She was also banned from driving for six months, and ordered to pay costs of £50.

Updated: 09:31 Friday, January 20, 2006