Family welcome ‘strong sentence’ for lorry driver

Man who caused death of 83-year-old woman given unpaid work

The grieving family of an Aberdeen great-grandmother have welcomed the “strong sentence” imposed on the lorry driver who ran her over.

Gerald Clark was found guilty of causing the death of Mary Allan, known by many as Molly, by carelessly driving an HGV on the city’s King Street in September 2018.

He was convicted after a trial in November and was warned at the time that he may be facing prison.

After hearing that he now “accepts his culpability” and “breaks down” when asked about the incident, Sheriff Graeme Napier spared him a prison sentence.

The Dundee 65-year-old was instead ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, put on a curfew for six months and banned from driving for four years.

Speaking outside the court yesterday, Mrs Allan’s family welcomed the sheriff’s decision.

Her son, Ian Allan, said: “It is a strong sentence – probably better than just a three-month spell in prison.

“It is appropriate, and we already knew it was not likely he would get jailed. “We are just glad it is all over now.” His sister had previously criticised

Clark for showing an apparent lack of remorse, but the court heard that a report put together by social workers revealed he had now taken responsibility for the 83-year-old’s death.

Mrs Allan was killed instantly in the collision, after Clark blocked a pedestrian crossing near the roundabout with St Machar Drive with his HGV.

He failed to notice a red light, failed to check his mirrors and hit the pensioner as she was crossing the road in front of the lorry.

Clark, of Taits Lane, admitted he had not seen her when he was interviewed by police at the time.

His solicitor, Chris Fyffe, said: “He now accepts his culpability fully.

“Social workers have noted Mr Clark has huge difficulty in speaking about what happened without breaking down.

“He has been advised to seek professional help in that regard.”

Sheriff Napier said: “Court should only impose prison sentences if there is no other alternative. Prison is reserved for the most serious of cases.”

Clark declined to comment as he left court.

Gerald Clark at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Mary Allan, 83, was killed in 2018.