Dennis Anthony Radford appeared in the Dunedin District Court where he pleaded guilty to careless driving causing injury — a fault that created the first ever stain on his criminal record.
The 75-year-old became the first life member of Tennis Southern in 2008, and more recently received a diamond award from New Zealand Tennis Umpires Association for at least 40 years of officiating.
Radford, a retired intermediate school teacher, represented Otago at tennis more than 200 times and covered the sport for the Otago Daily Times for several decades.
On November 13, he was driving his Mazda in Kennedy St, waiting to turn right.
The victim was travelling north in Victoria Rd and Radford pulled out in front of her, causing a collision.
The woman sustained a sprained neck and bruising to her shoulder as a result of the crash, the court heard.
Counsel Anne Stevens KC said it was an unfortunate incident and her client had done everything possible to make amends.
"This was a very momentary misjudgment. He thought the road was clear and it wasn't," she said.
"There's no criminality involved."
Mrs Stevens said Radford was a man of "very good character" and she provided references from a tennis associate "explaining how much he's contributed to that sport on a voluntary basis, particularly as a coach and commentator".
There was also one from her client's daughter.
The court heard Radford was heavily relied upon to provide transport for both his daughter and granddaughter.
Community magistrate Elder Robati imposed a six-month driving disqualification, but backdated it to the time of the incident, meaning the defendant only had a couple more weeks off the road.
Radford was fined $450 and ordered to pay $2000 reparation along with court costs of $130.
