The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sheriff warns pair they face ‘day of reckoning’
COURT: Couple lied to police after pensioner was killed by car they were in
A woman who lied by claiming that she was the driver of a car that killed a pensioner, and her boyfriend who was actually driving the speeding vehicle without a licence or insurance, were yesterday warned they face “a day of reckoning”. Tiegan Carruthers, 19, was seen after the crash that killed Linda Dunn, 68, screaming and crying and saying she was “going to jail”. The dental nurse told police she was driving in blinding sunlight and said: “I couldn’t see anything. Then she hit off the bonnet first, then the windscreen, then off. I went into shock and my partner grabbed the wheel and pulled the car to the side.” Carruthers later said to insurers that she was the driver and got a courtesy car after telling them: “The police have already told me it’s not my fault and there’s nothing for me to worry about but I’m not going to get charged with anything against me. It’s a complete accident and the lady walked out in front of me.” Her partner Gregg Anderson, 26, who was driving at nearly double the speed limit of 20mph, told police: “Tiegan was driving slowly perhaps at 20mph or less because the sun was very low and dazzling.” He said that after the collision she could not open her door so he climbed over, opened it and got out “her side”. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that when police began examining CCTV from Leven town centre following the fatal crash on October 29 last year they realised that Anderson had been driving the Mazda car. Police made a press appeal for witnesses and members of the public gave information that a man was the driver with a female passenger. Warehouseman Anderson was interviewed again by police and accepted that he drove part of the car journey that day but persisted that he was not the driver at the time of the collision. His girlfriend was also questioned and initially claimed to be the driver but after being presented with contradictory evidence said Anderson was driving. Advocate depute Alex Prenctice told the court: “The truth being that the accused Carruthers permitted Anderson to drive without a licence or insurance, that she repeatedly gave the police false information and deceived Direct Line into providing her with a courtesy car. “The accused Anderson drove the car dangerously, without a licence or insurance and he repeatedly provided false information to the police regarding his role in the matter,” said the prosecutor. Anderson, of Alexander Street, East Wemyss, admitted causing the death of Miss Dunn by driving dangerously at excessive speed and failing to observe the pedestrian crossing on Aitken Street, Leven. He also admitted driving without insurance and a licence. He further pled guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice by providing false information to police stating Carruthers was the driver in a bid to avoid detection and prosecution. Carruthers, also of Alexander Street, admitted permitting Anderson to drive without him having insurance. She also admitted pretending to insurers that she was the driver at the time of the crash and inducing the firm to provide her with a courtesy car and obtaining the use of it by fraud and attemptingtopervertthecourseofjustice. She had already been suspended by the General Dental Council because she was a risk to the public. Mr Prentice said Miss Dunn of Kinnarchie Crescent, Methil, died from head and chest injuries. Judge Lord Uist adjourned the case for background reports on the pair and imposed driving bans until sentencing. He said he would continue bail until then and added: “You should each be aware that will be the day of reckoning.”