I certainly hear a statement on the radio after the case , I think from the Police that he did have time to slow down and it was the lack of brakes that meant he did not.He never denied breaking the law but claimed she stepped out so late that he wouldn't have been able to stop in any case. I don't know if that was challenged by the prosecution though.
The clown is clearly guilty and has been punished but perhaps it's time we started hammering pedestrians who walk out in front of vehicles without looking because they are too busy on their phones. - As far as I'm aware his statement that she never looked hasn't been challenged.
PS just looked at one of the BBC reports when he said he shouted warnings and swerved and she stepped one way and then another this certainly would suggest he actually would have been able to slow a lot more with proper brakes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41028321