A woman accused of causing the death of a jogger by careless driving told police the mother-of two had “darted” in front of her car.

Following the fatal collision Chantel Macbain claimed 41-year-old Claire Taylor had been jogging towards her in the opposite carriageway and in a “split second” had crossed the road in front of her.

During her police interview she said there had been a frost that morning and she had been driving at 40-45 mph.

She said when Mrs Taylor darted in front of her she slammed on her brakes and pulled the steering wheel to the right to move out of the way. She said she didn’t remember seeing any ice that morning.

Macbain, 26, of Shardlow Close, Haverhill, denies causing death by careless driving on December 27 2016.

The court heard Mrs Taylor was running along the B1061 near Great Bradley when she was struck by a Vauxhall Corsa driven by Macbain.

“The impact with Mrs Taylor propelled her a distance of some 35 metres in the air into an adjoining field and she died at the scene from her injuries,” said David Wilson, prosecuting.

“The prosecution say that whilst there were undoubted icy conditions on the road that day the standard of care of a driver in hazardous conditions is to reduce your speed to the conditions and adopt such care to enable you to retain control of your vehicle.

“Sadly, the prosecution say the defendant failed to make these adjustments in her driving on this day which led to the death of Mrs Taylor.”

The court heard the road was due to have been gritted the night before but this hadn’t taken place due to an error.

Mr Wilson also said it was subject to the national speed limit and it was likely Macbain had been travelling at no less than 40mph.

Mr Wilson claimed Macbain was lying when she told police Mrs Taylor had “darted” in front of her without warning.

The trial continues.