Pressure is mounting for tougher sentences for motorists whose careless driving causes fatal and serious accidents.
Scottish Conservative leadership candidate and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser spoke out after a man who caused the death of one of Scotland’s most promising chefs escaped a prison sentence.
Michael Bloice walked free from Perth Sheriff Court on Monday (link) after a sheriff decided not to imprison him, instead ordering him to carry out unpaid work and serve a brief driving ban.
Ryan Young, who was 38, died on April 24 last year when Bloice drove his 4×4 vehicle into the path of the chef’s motorcycle as he emerged on to the A9 in Perthshire.
The incident was described as a “tragic lapse in judgment” and Sheriff Robert McCreadie stayed his hand after hearing of the accused’s “remorse and regret”.
The sentence was met with dismay by Mr Young’s family, who had watched from the public benches as the verdict was delivered.
Mr Young’s grieving sister Joanna Young (26), who lives in Forfar, hit out at the decision, telling The Courier: “I feel ashamed to live in a country where an individual is not prosecuted with a custodial sentence for causing a fatality in an avoidable road accident and instead is awarded with community service and a ridiculous driving ban of two and a half years.
“I completely disagree with Sheriff Robert McCreadie’s decision and feel he has opened a Pandora’s box to admonish anyone who feels ‘remorse’ for taking another’s life.”
Mr Fraser said changes needed to made to the legal system to ensure fair and “appropriate” sentencing.
He said: “This is a deeply upsetting case and it is tragic when life is lost in this manner and my condolences go to the family and friends. Careless driving causes too many fatal and serious accidents on our roads.
“The grief that any family feels after such a sad loss cannot be eased by the sentence given to those responsible but I believe that we need to have a system where the sentence is appropriate for the incident to acknowledge the seriousness of the loss of life.”
Mr Young was a rising culinary star and helped to establish the reputation of the Opus One restaurant in Perth, where he was head chef.
In 2009 he received the silver award in the new restaurant of the year category at the Scottish Chef Awards and he had made the shortlist for the rising chef of the year title at the Scottish Hotel Awards, which he was due to attend just two days after he died.
Mr Young’s career was celebrated at the gathering, where he was described as “a tremendous talent”.
He was on his way to work in Perth when Bloice pulled out in front of him, causing an “unavoidable” accident that catapulted Mr Young from his motorcycle, fatally injuring him.
The court was told Bloice failed to spot Mr Young despite an unrestricted view of 350 metres of road, while the lights on the motorcycle were also illuminated.