The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Killer crash driver jailed for 10 months
Daughter of victim launches campaign for tougher sentencing
A devastated Angus daughter has called for tougher sentencing after the killer of her “loving, fun, thoughtful and caring” dad was jailed for 10 months.
William Barclay, pictured, from Brechin, died when Steven Hall, from Glenrothes, pulled straight into the 68-year-old’s path on the A94 between Coupar Angus and Forfar in February 2019.
Mr Barclay’s daughter, Jacqueline, spoke of her “heartbreak beyond comprehension” as Hall, 59, was jailed and banned from the road for a year after he admitted causing her dad’s death by careless driving. She said she backed tougher sentences for those who leave loved ones facing a “life sentence” and has vowed to campaign in her father’s memory.
“The impact of causing death by careless driving destroys families. I would not wish this pain and anguish on any other family,” she said.
An Angus fatal road crash victim’s daughter has spoken of her “heartbreak beyond comprehension” after his Fife killer was jailed for 10 months.
Jacqueline Barclay said her father William’s death on the Forfar to Coupar Angus road last February has left his loved ones facing a “life sentence”.
She has backed tougher sentencing in the wake of the “violent and horrific” tragedy after Glenrothes man Steven Hall, 59, was jailed and banned from the road for a year.
He admitting causing Mr Barclay’s death by careless driving on the A94 between Meigle and Glamis in February 2019.
The Angus father-of-two was returning to Brechin in his role as a driver with local firm Mackie Motors when Hall’s Transit flatbed pulled straight into his path from a minor road junction.
It somersaulted the former painter and decorator’s vehicle into the air before the van landed on top of another car.
In a statement released after Hall was sentenced, Jacqueline, who lives abroad, said: “February 15 2019 is just another date for you. For me that was the day my whole world was turned upside down in a matter of seconds and my life changed forever.
“My beloved dad was suddenly, violently and horrifically killed in a fatal road traffic collision. He walked out the front door that morning and tragically never came home.
“My dad was the most important person in my life. I am absolutely heartbroken, totally devastated and destroyed by his loss.
“Life will never be the same.” Jacqueline described her father as “the most loving, fun, thoughtful, caring dad who was always there for me, helping and supporting me.
“He is deeply missed every single day. The pain from his loss will never go away,” she said.
Mr Barclay, who would have been 70 last Saturday, is also survived by his widow, Anne, and son, Kevin. He was well-known locally, particularly in football circles through youth football and Brechin Vics juniors.
Jacqueline added: “One death on the roads is one too many.
“When it is your loved one who is the fatality it is heartbreaking beyond comprehension. This is not like other deaths or losses. The impact of causing death by careless driving destroys families. I would not wish this pain and anguish on any other family.
“I wish to increase road safety awareness in my Dad’s memory and I fully support tougher sentences for these serious crimes that inflict a life sentence on the victims’ loved ones.”
She paid tribute to the public who came forward to assist the investigation, emergency services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
The court heard Hall, of Alexander Rise, Glenrothes, pulled directly into the path of Mr Barclay from a side junction.
Defence counsel Barry Smith said: “The accident has had, and will continue to have, a profound impact on Mr Hall, as it will the family of Mr Barclay. He accepts full responsibility for it.
“He is clearly very remorseful.” Sheriff Alastair Carmichael told Hall: “The level of careless driving on your part was high.
“I have to demonstrate society’s disapproval and to deter others from such driving so, in my view, there’s no alternative to a custodial sentence.”