Courts

Man (92) who knocked down and killed schoolgirl to receive suspended sentence

John Lindsay of Carrickfergus was absent from court hearing as he is in hospital

Scarlett Rossborough (8) was described as a 'beautiful, happy child, loved by all who knew her'
Scarlett Rossborough (8) was described as a 'beautiful, happy child, loved by all who knew her'
Ashleigh McDonald
Mon Dec 09 2024 - 21:11

A Co Antrim pensioner who knocked down and killed an eight-year-old schoolgirl will be handed a suspended sentence, a court heard on Monday.

Scarlett Rossborough died after being struck by a car driven by John Noble Lindsay on High Street in Carrickfergus last August.

Lindsay, who is 92 and from Prince Andrew Way in Carrick, admitted a charge of causing Scarlett’s death by dangerous driving.

He is currently in hospital and was excused from attending Monday’s hearing at Belfast Crown Court.

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Giving her judgment in the case, Judge Patricia Smyth said she would be imposing a 10-month sentence upon Lindsay, which will be suspended for 12 months, “when he is well enough” to be sentenced.

The former RUC officer will also be banned from driving for five years by Judge Patricia Smyth.

The Belfast Recorder said: “The enormity of the tragedy cannot be put into words.

“Scarlett was a beautiful, happy child, loved by all who knew her. She was eight years old and described as the princess of the family. She was the kindest, most sensitive, empathetic little person. She was determined and passionate.”

Revealing that Scarlett loved sports, music and was a keen artist and gymnast who loved to play with her little brother, Judge Smyth said: “There is no sentence that I can pass that will bring any comfort to Scarlett’s parents and family, who have suffered so much.

“The shocking circumstances of her death have affected so many people and nothing can turn back the clock and restore the precious young life that has been lost.”

Defence barrister Frank O’Donoghue KC said: “The defendant has always accepted full responsibility for what occurred. His guilt is total and his feelings of guilt are unrelenting.”

During the hearing, Judge Smyth spoke of the loss suffered by Scarlett’s family, many of whom set out their grief in victim impact statements.

These included Scarlett’s mother who has been left “haunted” by the tragedy and who has called for a new law – Scarlett’s Law – which would ban very elderly people from driving in the interests of the public.

In Lindsay’s absence, the judge spoke of “exceptional circumstances” in the case including his “extreme age”, his ill health, the limited life expectancy and his previous “unblemished character”, and ruled that an immediate prison sentence would not be imposed.