The grief-stricken family of popular Perth teacher Adam Pattinson has welcomed the sentence imposed on his killer.
Thomas Smith was jailed for two years for causing the head-on collision which killed Perthshire Rugby Club captain Mr Pattinson in February 2020.
The 36-year-old father of one, known as BFT – Big Friendly Teacher – at Craigclowan Prep School in Perth, where he taught, had been on his daily pre-work cycle on the A912 Aberargie to Bridge of Earn road when the accident happened.
76-year-old Mr Smith claims he did not see Mr Pattinson approaching on the road, although drivers he was overtaking at the time could clearly see the cyclist.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Arthurson said: “Mr Pattinson’s life was a full life but a life nevertheless cruelly cut short with many happy and fulfilling years with his family and in his career lying ahead of him.
“No sentence that this court could impose could ever begin to reduce the sheer scale of grief felt by that family as they contemplate the loss of Mr Pattinson.”
‘It is a life sentence’
Mr Pattinson had said goodbye to his wife Claire when he left for his daily bike ride and she expected to see him before his work.
In a statement released after the sentencing, she said: “In the two years since Adam’s death we have been forced to live through what no family ever should.
“We feel it just that a custodial sentence has been given today.
“However, this cannot begin to match our grief, nor can it reflect a life so cruelly taken from Adam, myself, our son and his family and friends.
“Words will never be enough to describe the devastating pain and heartbreak of losing my wonderful husband.
“Adam was the most loving and devoted daddy to our little boy who had his father stolen before he even had memories to call his own.
“Adam was just 36 years old and to spend a lifetime without him will take a strength and courage I do not know how you endure.
“It is a life sentence.”
Vehicle warning
She added: “We are forever changed and will always desperately miss the fun, laughter and love Adam brought to each of us.
“Adam should have come home that morning.
“He did everything he could to keep himself safe.
“To learn the dangerous and completely avoidable choices made by someone else, which resulted in Adam’s death, has only added to our devastation.
“It is a stark reminder that vehicles can become weapons if not used responsibly and we can now only hope that Adam’ s story will encourage drivers to carefully consider the safety of overtaking manoeuvres.”
Thanks to community and services
Mrs Pattinson continued: “It is very important for us to thank the medical personnel and members of the public who did all they could to help Adam that terrible morning and to Tayside police for their support and professionalism.
“To family, friends and those in our local community and beyond, who have shown such thoughtfulness, thank you.
“We also wish to remember how deeply Adam valued his role both as a teacher at Craigclowan Prep School and in the rugby community.
“He showed positivity and care to so many and, as such, his loss is far reaching.
“We respectfully ask for privacy as we now try to concentrate on the happy times spent together and as we strive to honour Adam’s memory by following his example of kindness and gratitude for life.”
