A motorist with a “death wish” whose dangerous driving caused a “fun loving” son to lose his life after he left a Father’s Day celebration has been jailed.
Stuart Matchett, 44, was given a four year and eight month jail term for killing Monifieth man Peter MacMillan, 52, on June 21 2020.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Mr MacMillan had been visiting his parents and was heading home.
Members of his family witnessed the moment Matchett’s Renault Clio struck his victim’s Reliant Scimitar in Monifieth.
Simon and Lesley MacMillan rushed to help their stricken relative who was trapped in his car.
Meanwhile, Matchett didn’t stop and continued to drive his “significantly damaged” Clio.
He then stopped, got out of the car, walked back along the road towards Mr MacMillan’s vehicle, pointed towards it and asked shocked onlookers: “Does anybody know who’s driving that car?”
Parents never recovered
On Friday, the court heard that Matchett had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had been prescribed medication for the condition.
However, months before the collision, the court heard how Matchett had stopped taking his meds after he had discovered his “unresponsive” girlfriend who had later died.
The court heard that Matchett was traumatised by the passing of his loved one and “disengaged” from everyday life.
The court also heard that DVLA guidance states that people in Matchett’s position should not be driving.
Judge Lord Beckett told Matchett he had read victim impact statements from Mr MacMillan’s family who had described him as being “fun loving” and “charming” and that he played a vital role in caring for his elderly parents.
Passing sentence, he said: “His parents never recovered from his death and they both died after months of distress.
“There is no sentence which I can pass which will address the impact of the death of Mr MacMillan for his family.
“However, given the circumstances of the case, I have decided that there is no alternative to custody.
“It is necessary both for deterrence and for the protection of the public that such a sentence be passed.”
Denied he was the driver
Matchett, of Monifieth, Angus, had pleaded guilty last month to a charge of causing Mr MacMillan’s death by driving dangerously. Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports.
During these proceedings, the court heard that the deceased was married to Jennifer and had one son, 17-year-old Daniel.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said that on June 21, he went to visit his dad John, 84, and his mum Joyce, 82, for Father’s Day.
On the same date, Matchett left his mum’s home in his black Clio. Mr Prentice said that around 1.20pm, Mr MacMillan and his relatives Simon and Lesley left his parents’ home.
The court heard that Simon and Lesley saw Mr MacMillan reverse his car from the driveway at his parents’ property on to Ferry Road before he drove towards the junction at the town’s Bank Street.
Matchett’s vehicle then struck MacMillan’s car. He sustained injuries which doctors would be unable to treat.
Mr Prentice said witness Paul Chew then spoke to Matchett in the moments after the collision.
Mr Prentice said: “Simon MacMillan recalls the accused appearing at Mr MacMillan’s vehicle and asking him if anyone had seen the driver.
“Simon MacMillan heard Mr Chew challenge the accused saying ‘Was it not you?’ to which the accused replied, ‘no’.
“The accused then walked off eastwards.”
Driver had ‘death wish’
Mr MacMillan died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee in June 2020.
Police who later spoke to Matchett said he appeared to be “unconcerned and uninterested” and that he showed “little remorse”.
During the police investigation following the incident, one witness said that the car was going so fast it was like he had a “death wish.”
On Friday, defence advocate Jonathan Crowe told the court that social workers tasked with investigating his client’s background concluded that Matchett’s remorse was genuine.
Mr Crowe said that Matchett lost his girlfriend in February 2020 and that this had affected his mental health.
He added: “There was an incident in February 2020 in which Mr Matchett discovered his girlfriend who was unresponsive.
“The paramedics attended at the address. But she later passed away.
“He stopped washing, he stopped eating. He stopped taking his medication. The death of his girlfriend caused him to go into a downwards spiral.
“He has no recollection of the incident. But Mr Matchett accepts full responsibility for the offence.
“He tells me that not a day goes past in which he does not think about the victim and how he thinks about the impact of his actions have had on both the victim and the lives of the victim’s family.”
Driving ban
Lord Beckett also imposed a seven year and nine month long driving ban on Matchett.
Lord Beckett added: “I have taken into account everything that has been said on your behalf today.
“I also take account that you have shown remorse and empathy to Mr MacMillan and to Mr MacMillan’s family.
“I have also taken into account the adverse impact that your girlfriend’s death in February 2020 had on you.
“However, had the DVLA known about your condition, you would not have been licensed to drive.”
