Lorry driver who killed Bearsden cyclist in road crash spared jail

A lorry driver who killed a cyclist in a horror road accident has been spared jail[1]. James Peat, 62, hit Una Brandreth, 56, after he turned his HGV into her without indicating at a junction. Ms Brandreth had been cycling alongside his vehicle in Bearsden[2], East Dunbartonshire, when he turned left and collided with her.

She was dragged under the wheels before he drove on unaware of the rush hour carnage behind him. Witnesses rushed to her aid but she was pronounced dead at the scene in March last year. Peat appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court and admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Sheriff Frances McCartney imposed a community payback order of 200 hours of unpaid work. Peat was banned from driving for two years and also tagged for two months.

Sheriff McCartney said: "I have read the victim impact statement compiled by members of Ms Brandreth's family including her son. "She led a full life.

She was active and loved the outdoors, including cycling. She had a distinguished career in the field of quantum and laser physics. "I have read about the vigil held in her memory.

Her life has touched the lives of many including her family, and in the outdoor community. "Her family report the weight of her absence as overwhelming. Their loss has been devastating.

No sentence which this court can impose will reflect the severity of their loss or grief." The tragic death of Ms Brandreth, of Stafford, West Midlands, sparked protest from cycle groups and a petition gathering more than 2,700 signatures calling for improved road safety in the area. Her family paid tribute to her and thanked people who had come to her aid at the crash.

They said: "Una was a much-loved sister, mother and daughter, and will be much missed by everyone who knew her. "We would like to say that we are massively grateful to all the emergency services that were involved in this tragic incident." Sheriff McCartney told Peat his failure to indicate had created huge risks for Ms Brandreth.

He also said there was no evidence from investigators that she had been in a 'blind spot'. But he told Peat he had narrowly avoided being sent to prison. He said: "You show a high level of remorse for the offence.

You have been assessed by a criminal justice social worker as not to require any intervention from the criminal justice social work department. "Where an offender has never served a sentence of custody before, the law is that the court should not impose a custodial sentence unless there is no alternative. "My conclusion based on all the circumstances but particularly your background and the information in the criminal justice social work report, is that there is an alternative to custody."

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References

1. ^ jail (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
2. ^ Bearsden (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
3. ^ newsletter here (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Glasgow Live's WhatsApp community here (www.glasgowlive.co.uk)