Driver who mowed down and killed mother on scooter is banned from road

Fatal crash: Cameron appeared at Stonehaven Sheriff Court.Gary Cruden

A driver who ran over a mother on a scooter in his Land Rover has avoided a jail sentence.

John Cameron, 51, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and was banned from driving for two years for causing the death of Jennifer Chalmers, 53, at a Stonehaven junction on January 25 last year.

Ms Chalmers' boyfriend Allan Annat said that she had been on her way to have dinner with him when the accident happened just yards away from his home.

The mother was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance but she died from her injuries.

Cameron, of Brechin, Angus, had denied driving carelessly by not paying proper attention at the Westfield Road junction with Arduthie Road, but was found guilty last month following an eight-day jury trial.

During sentencing at Stonehaven Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Cameron's solicitor Derick Nelson said there had been a "momentary lapse" in the driver's concentration.

He said: "He accepted in evidence himself that perhaps he should've given one last check to the right and had he done so we might have been in a different situation.

"He has had a very real sense of how this must feel for the family of the deceased. Mr Cameron's life has been devastated by this."

Mr Nelson said Cameron's mental health had suffered since the incident and he had lost his job with household firm Betterware because he "couldn't keep his mind on the job".

The solicitor said Cameron had not worked since. Sheriff David Hall said he believed first offender Cameron would carry the burden of his actions for the rest of his life.

He said: "You caused the death of Jennifer Chalmers, depriving her of the years of her life she and her nearest and dearest had to look forward to. Nothing I do as far as sentence can alter that.

"I accept that you are remorseful for what happened and that you will have to live with the consequences of your driving on that day for the rest of your life.

“But as I have said already, so will Jennifer Chalmers' family and friends."

Ms Chalmers, an assistant at Cardhaven card shop in the town centre, was an animal lover and had worked with various charities.

Mr Annat said the family were "satisfied" with the sentence but said the court proceedings had been hard for them to bear.

The 63-year-old said: "We had to face it for Jennifer. We are satisfied with everything. The sheriff was very fair.

"We all want to move on with fond memories of Jennifer. Nothing can bring Jennifer back."

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