A Broughty Ferry woman who caused the death of an ”inspirational” Dundee teacher has walked free from court after the sheriff told her there was nothing he could do to “make things any better” for the dead woman’s family.
Jacqueline Davidson (48), of Albany Road, Broughty Ferry, was told by Sheriff Charles Macnair at Cupar Sheriff Court that if she had been convicted after a trial she would have been jailed, but he could apply a discount due to her guilty plea.
She was ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service.
It also emerged that the family of the 34-year-old victim, Fintry Primary School teacher Lorna Grant, feel further research should be carried out into the possible effect of a combination of medicines taken by Davidson at the time of the accident.
Miss Grant died after a collision on the A92 between the Five Roads and Forgan roundabouts in north Fife on August 29 2010.
Her car was propelled down an embankment after being struck by Davidson’s Volvo people carrier. She was trapped for two hours, and never regained consciousness after being freed and airlifted to Ninewells Hospital.
At the time Davidson was carrying five nine-year-old children, two of them boys who suffered severe injuries when her vehicle overturned.
One of them had to spend 10 days on a ventilator, and the other suffered a fracture to his lower spine.
Davidson had been driving back from a children’s party when her car crossed on to the opposing carriageway and collided almost head-on with Miss Grant’s Renault Clio. At the time, Davidson’s husband was driving another vehicle in front.
Sentencing the accused, Sheriff Macnair said Miss Grant had been driving in a perfectly proper manner and Davidson had crossed the carriageway and collided with her.
”I don’t think we will ever know why you did that” he said.
He added: ”What is clear is that there is nothing I can do today to bring Lorna Grant back or make things any better for her family.”
In addition to ordering Davidson to carry out 300 hours of community service, Sheriff Macnair banned her from 45 months and ordered her to resit an extended driving test when the disqualification ends.
Lorna’s sister, Fiona, read out a statement saying: ”Lorna’s many talents, love of walking and of the outdoors, along with her passion for travel, Spain and the Spanish language, enriched our lives.”
Addressing the drug concerns, she added: ”We believe this is an issue that merits further research. Lorna’s death has left a huge void in our lives which will never be filled.”