OAP in road tragedy avoids jail

Tragic 71-year-old Martha Tait was crushed by the BMW being driven by Mary Mackintosh on Union Road near its junction with Carmuirs Avenue on March 24 last year.

The retired mum of two was thrown into the road by the impact and died from her injuries later.

Mackintosh (68) from 167 Union Road, Camelon, admitted causing Mrs Tait’s death by driving without due care and attention and appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court for sentence today.

The court was told she had ‘volunteered’ to move her brother-in-laws motor because it was blocking the driveway outside her home.

But after being handed the keys and getting in, she turned the ignition without checking the car was not in gear and the handbrake was fully on.

As a result, it “jumped” forward and collided with the rear of Mrs Tait’s scooter before rolling on top of her as she lay in the road.

As a direct alternative to custody, Sheriff Derek Livingston banned Mackintosh for four years and placed her on a community payback order which will include completing 240 hours unpaid work in eight months.

He told her: “I accept you have shown great remorse, but by not checking the gears and making sure the handbrake was fully on you caused a tragedy.

“It may be the family of Mrs Tait does not consider the punishment fits the crime, but the condolences of the court are extended to them.”