A former Middlesbrough soccer star has escaped a driving ban after leaving a young mother in a coma following a 75 mph collision.

Caroline Robinson, 28, suffered brain damage when former Boro striker Paul Wilkinson's car ploughed into her friend's vehicle after it had broken down beside the A180 near Grimsby.

Magistrates in Grimsby heard how Wilkinson had just overtaken another vehicle at about 75 mph. There were no tyre marks to show he had braked.

Miss Robinson spent a month in a coma and still cannot walk, hold her baby son Harry, or write her name.

At times she cannot even remember the names of close relatives visiting her in hospital.

Andy Plowman, Miss Robinson's fiance, said: "For 48 hours it was touch and go whether Caroline would live. At the very least we thought Wilkinson would be banned."

Wilkinson, 37, admitted careless driving and was fined £500 by magistrates. He also received five penalty points, one short of a ban, after the bench heard he already had six points on his licence. The maximum penalty is a £2,500 fine and nine points.

Miss Robinson's father, Steve, said the family felt let down with the outcome of the case.

He said: "Drivers get banned all the time just for speeding on motorways.

"Knowing he could drive away from court was the final insult. We still do no know if Caroline will ever walk again.

"We feel utterly let down."

Prolific marksman Wilkinson proved an immediate success when Middlesbrough manager Lennie Lawrence signed him from Watford for £500,000 in 1991.

His 15 goals in his first season helped the club to promotion to the Premier League and the striker went on to spend more than five seasons on Teesside, despite attracting interest from rivals Everton and Spurs.

The England Under 21 international became an established fan's favourite netting 49 goals in 166 appearances for Middlesbrough.

However, he fell out of favour under new manager Bryan Robson and was sold to Barnsley for a nominal fee in 1996.

He is currently coach of Grimsby Town.