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Community service for driver convicted of killing second cyclist in 25 years

Double killer spared jail for "momentary" loss of concentration - judge notes victim's lack of helmet...

Gary McCourt the Edinburgh man found guilty of causing the death by careless driving of cyclist Audrey Fife in August 2011 has been sentenced to 300 hours community service and banned from driving for five years at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court. After the guilty verdict was returned in the case of Mrs Fife it was revealed that McCourt was also responsible for the death of another cyclist, 22 year-old student, George Dalgity in 1986.

Sentencing McCourt who admitted to police that he had "clipped" Mrs Fife's bike, Sheriff James Scott said that the collision had occurred when McCourt "momentarily" lost concentration and that while "Mrs Fife wasn't in any way to blame for the accident" in his view the fact that she wasn't wearing a helmet contributed to her death. 

According to the BBC Sheriff Scott said he felt able to spare McCourt a prison sentence because there were no aggravating factors, such as drink or drug abuse - although some will surely question whether the fact that this was McCourt's second offence was in itself an aggravating factor.

Sheriff Scot said he also took in to account the fact that McCourt had frequently expressed genuine remorse and that the 47-year old suffered from depression and showed signs of post traumatic stress disorder.

Prior to sentencing Mrs Fife's widower, John had said that jailing McCourt would be a waste of taxpayers money, however as we reported last weekend Mr Dalgity's family felt strongly to the contrary and wrote to the court calling on the Sheriff to impose a stiff sentence.

“It’s been suggested that sending him to jail would be a waste of taxpayers’ money but the four years that George spent at university could be seen as that, too,” she adds. “He never had a chance to use his degree. Never had a chance to live his life,” George Dalgity's sister, Ann told The Scotsman.

There is the possibility that McCourt's sentence could be appealed on the grounds of undue leniency, whether to proceed with such an appeal will be a matter for the procurator fiscal's office, the body that performs a similar role in bringing prosecutions in Scotland as the CPS does in England and Wales.

What can be said with more certainty is that the sentence imposed by this court on a man who has now been convicted of killing two cyclists is sure to reignite the debate about lenient sentencing for drivers who kill cyclists and pedestrians. Last year a coalition of cycling organisations and other road safety groups met with the Helen Grant the Justice Minister with responsibility for victims & the courts to call for a review of sentencing guidelines in such cases. While the minister expressed her support and  promised to look in to the matter as yet there has been no further action taken.

road.cc's founder and first editor, nowadays to be found riding a spreadsheet. Tony's journey in cycling media started in 1997 as production editor and then deputy editor of Total Bike, acting editor of Total Mountain Bike and then seven years as editor of Cycling Plus. He launched his first cycling website - the Cycling Plus Forum at the turn of the century. In 2006 he left C+ to head up the launch team for Bike Radar which he edited until 2008, when he co-launched the multi-award winning road.cc - finally handing on the reins in 2021 to Jack Sexty. His favourite ride is his ‘commute’ - which he does most days inc weekends and he’s been cycle-commuting since 1994. His favourite bikes are titanium and have disc brakes, though he'd like to own a carbon bike one day.

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35 comments

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Aileen | 10 years ago
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Thanks for all your support. We have now had almost now 4,500 people write to the Lord Advocate protesting at this derisory sentence as well as wall to wall coverage in Scotland. Gary McCourt's face is so well known in Edinburgh that, I suspect he is frightened to leave the house, let alone drive again.
If you haven't already added you weight to the onslaught of letters to the Lord Advocate, please do it now. We have until 31st May to make our feelings known http://www.ctc.org.uk/news/demand-proper-sentence-for-driver-who-killed-...
I've been thinking what we need to do to make sure other drivers don't drive while banned.  39
Perhaps if the penalty for breaching a driving ban was life imprisonment these mindless murderers would think twice about it. I'd also have the police confiscate the cars of any drivers given a temporary or permanent driving ban although I acknowledge that that wouldn't spot them driving other people's vehicles. For those who have a temporary ban, I would add a requirement for the driver to have compulsory cycle training & provide evidence of 1,000 ridden on a bike to that they gain some understanding of what it's like not to be surrounded by air bags & a crumple zone.

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Simm0 | 10 years ago
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McCourt had a "momentary lapse of concentration". He had a responsibility to maintain his concentration when he chose to drive a vehicle on a public highway but clearly failed to do so not only on this occasion but also on a previous one. Both of these instances resulted in loss of life and as such McCourt should face the maximum penalty permissible by law. It is not proportionate to punish this with community service and a ban. Sheriff Scott has failed to carry out his duties and if he had any decency would resign. The cycling organizations have to object strongly to these sort of decisions and encourage us cyclists to also complain in an organized and tactical manner. My sympathies to Mrs Fyfe's family whom from what I have read are very let down by the Scottish legal system.

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Ush | 10 years ago
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With respect I disagree with Tony that the helmet part of this story is not relevant. It's relevant for the following reasons:

* It is another piece of evidence that helmet (non)usage is a significant factor in apportioning blame, despite the fact that there is no evidence which suggests that helmets can do anything except protect from superficial cuts, tears and other non-brain threatening injuries. We have "safety campaigners", many cycling clubs and online helmet campaigners to thank for this.

* It reflects a lack of experience and thought about the real dangers of cycling on the part of many officials. Helmet promotion has simultaneously conveyed the messages that cycling is dangerous and also that a piece of polystyrene is all that cyclists need to be safe. Again, we have the helmet campaigners and their friends the segregated facilities campaigners to thank for this.

The Sheriff is just echoing back the loudest voices in the cycling world and basing his judgements on the "common sense" which so often fails us.

The Scotsman has another, more detailed, piece: "The sheriff made his incendiary comments despite no expert evidence during McCourt’s four-day trial over whether a helmet could have saved Mrs Fyfe’s life.

And with the Crown Office confirming prosecutors are considering an appeal against the sentence due to its “undue leniency”, it seems likely further scrutiny could be given to the whole matter.

Away from the court, his comments have attracted widespread condemnation, especially in light of the fact he also caused controversy in 2010 when he gave the 90-year-old wife of the former Governor of the Bank of Scotland the all-clear to continue driving despite smashing her car into a cyclist"

http://www.scotsman.com/news/fury-at-sheriff-s-helmet-claim-in-cyclist-d...

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Ham-planet | 10 years ago
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Prior to sentencing Mrs Fife's widower, John had said [...]

Have you misplaced a comma, or misunderstood 'widower'?

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doc | 10 years ago
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Perhaps someone who works within the Scottish justice system may care to comment?
Or who knows how their CPS works, as it would appear that they tend to go for a lower charge to get a conviction, rather than a more serious charge and work a bit more smartly to get proper evidence and a conviction?
The sentence seems derisory, but the sentence for a lady who has lived 75 years and may have lived to receive the Queen's telegram is very final indded and can never be appealed. The law must be even handed, but the victim and their family should be respected too, and as this is a driver's second offence of "carelessness" perhaps a disqualification for a substantial period following a custodal punishment, if appropriate, with a requirement for an extended test for licence reinstatement would be more in proportion.
Whatever the judges comments, they do not seem well informed, as no-one can actually predict what would happen with/without helmet in any other way than recreate the incident using two volunteers. Wouldn't be many of them, I suspect.

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paulfg42 | 10 years ago
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Not only should that wanker be in jail, the sheriff should be removed from judicial office forthwith. Disgusting.

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QAEngineer624 | 10 years ago
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My condolences to the families of the victims for their losses and the slap over the pathetically inadequate sentence.

How, in the name of all that is Good and Holy, can such a sentence be acceptable! It is not a question. Guilt, remorse and shame are not enough. A tangible, measurable and meaningful penalty is required. Accidents happen; but twice? It may not deter every such incident but a stronger sentence is fully warranted.
If I told you that twelve years ago while riding my bike I knocked over a pram and caused brain damage to a baby, what would you say? There would have been a world-wide search for me. And, if I did it again last week, do I have to ask if your blood would be boiling.

I live in Canada and have only recently started reading Road.cc I am astounded and disturbed over the number of incidents. Perhaps the rate of cycling incidents is no greater than before, but at least people are being made aware of the issue of sharing the road. It troubles me that there are still people blaming the victims. On the other hand, I suppose those women pushing those prams should really have been more responsible.

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Argos74 | 10 years ago
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Words. Words. More bad words. My deepest sympathies to the victim's family. This isn't justice. This isn't right. You can't kill two people through "carelessness", feel a bit down about it and get away with a telling off and picking up rubbish in the park.

The next general election is in 2 years and 3 days time.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/

Make the buggers sweat for your vote.

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matdicko | 10 years ago
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What more does this twat have to do to get a custodial sentence, despicable.

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PhilRuss replied to matdicko | 10 years ago
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matdicko wrote:

What more does this twat have to do to get a custodial sentence, despicable.

[[[[ Er...he has to "clip" (kill) a member of the judiciary, who's wearing elbow-pads, knee-pads, suit of armour, kevlar vest, and of course a helmet.
Although the driver will escape any real penalty as long as he's contrite and feeling a bit sad, like.
P.R.

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Rupert49 | 10 years ago
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FFS! again we are let down by ill informed twerps who sit in judgement and who are there supposidly to protect the innocent, oh wait the victim wasn't wearing a piece of expanded polystyrene packing case on their head so that's ok  14 .

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Mat Brett | 10 years ago
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If he gets his hat-trick, will the judge award him the bike to keep as a trophy? Something to pass on to the grandchildren.

Unreal.

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alronald | 10 years ago
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According to the judge "I take into account that the accused has been ill and has suffered from depression and that he displays signs of post-traumatic stress disorder."

Shame you didn't take the fact that he has killed two cyclists in two separate incidents into account. Wonder if you had been equally considerate if he had killed 2 motorists

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Karbon Kev | 10 years ago
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The carnage continues, this one absolutely incredible. Nothing to do with helmets, rather it should be a priority to get this animal off the road. Absolutely appaling.

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Daclu Trelub | 10 years ago
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Och, man; surely he's entitled to a cyclist every 30 years? Wee Jock weeps.

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Dropped | 10 years ago
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I can't describe how furious I am. I just want to see the little shite die a slow and painful death, and I am anti-death penalty. Six months in prison for going for a swim and disturbing some Hooray Henrys sporting event (last years Boat Race), and community service for killing two cyclists. I just don't fucking get it......

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Fatbagman | 10 years ago
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British justice at it best. That tool is now on a roll, he probably thinks if I do it again I'll get a medal.

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WolfieSmith | 10 years ago
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I'd give him post traumatic stress disorder...

I use lights at night as it's the law.

I wear a helmet as I choose to. Others have the choice not too and I support that.

I do not wear hi vis because it should not be necessary. If it is we should all pop in on to cross the road.

Our Gary should have had a 10 year ban. It'll give him more time to cycle to work and experience what it's like to run the gauntlet of the careless, the impatient and the downright psychotic people that as cyclists we all meet every week.

I have nothing but contempt for him.

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notfastenough | 10 years ago
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Well he only 'clipped' her with the car, after all. The fact that the vehicle weighed over a ton didn't kill her, it was the lack of a non-compulsory helmet. Obviously.

Looking on the bright side, every time such an appalling sentence is handed down, it reinforces the points made by the all-party report on cycling - i.e. the law is failing vulnerable road users.

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tourdelound | 10 years ago
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Yet another justice FAIL.
 14

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Some Fella | 10 years ago
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Poor Mrs Fife had clearly been enjoying cycling all her life and survived until 75 without wearing a helmet and then this ©unt comes along and suddenly it contributed to her death? The only thing that contributed to her death was this murdering dickhead getting in his car when he should be in prison.

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Paul J | 10 years ago
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Make helmets and hi-viz compulsory. That should help sort out the cycling problem.

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Tom Amos | 10 years ago
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If he had driven into a pedestrian who wasn't wearing a helmet, would the Judge have made the same comment?

There seems to be an increasing pressure to wear helmets even though they are not compulsory under law.

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benb | 10 years ago
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In other news, a judge said that a gunshot victim's failure to wear a kevlar vest contributed to their death.

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The Rumpo Kid | 10 years ago
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Disgusting. Last month in London a man was given a (suspended) jail sentence for fraudulently topping up an Oyster card. Obviously a bigger crime than killing someone.

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therealsmallboy | 10 years ago
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Growl....

Words can't describe my frustration.

Would he have not hit her if she was wearing a helmet then Mr Scott? So it's her fault now?

Fucking pillock!

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angriest | 10 years ago
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Hey, come on guys, which one of us hasn't killed at least two people? Let's be reasonable here, eh?

/outraged sarcasm

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spatuluk | 10 years ago
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They only banned him from driving for 5 years, so when those 5 years are up, he'll be suffering from depression, PTSD, and rusty driving skills on top of his inability to concentrate while in charge of a motor vehicle.

I think there's a good chance of a #3 in 5 years time.  2

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badkneestom | 10 years ago
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Just out of curiousity, how would lack of helmet compare to say failure to use seat belt in the UK? Curious how the two safety devices are seen differently on vehicles.

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Tony Farrelly replied to badkneestom | 10 years ago
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Well both these cases occurred in the UK badkneestom, but the big difference would be that wearing a seatbelt in a car is a legal requirement whereas wearing a helmet while riding a bike is not.

The Sheriff's comment regarding Mrs Fife's lack of a helmet seem on the face of it ill-informed because his assumption seems to be that the outcome would have been different had she been wearing one however it seems unlikely to me that having been "clipped" by a car she would have been traveling at a low enough speed for the helmet to have made any difference to the outcome.

But let's not get sidetracked by talking about helmets, the issue here is that a man whose driving skills are so poor that he has killed twice in 25 years, has been given what amounts to a slap on the wrist by the courts. The fact that the sheriff didn't conclude that it was maybe time for McCourt to hand over his driving keys permanently is almost more gob-smacking than the sentence.

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