Lorry driver who knocked down lollipop lady in fatal accident fined £500 (14/1/10)

Ian McEwan, 66, hit Catherine Gibson when she stepped on to a pedestrian crossing as children made their way to school.

The HGV driver only checked his driver side mirror before pulling away from the crossing but stopped when he heard screams from passers by.

Ms Gibson, 59, was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.

A witness described the incident as “horrific” and said the children who witnessed it would probably need counselling.

McEwan, of Newmilns, Ayrshire was accused of causing death by careless driving on the pedestrian crossing at Fielden Street, in Glasgow’s east end on January 14 2010.

The jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court returned a not proven verdict to the charge, but found him guilty by majority of a less serious charge of careless driving.

Passing sentence Sheriff Sam Cathcart told McEwan: “The sentence I will impose must reflect the jury’s verdict.” McEwan was also given five penalty points.

The court heard that McEwan was driving the lorry that struck and ran over Ms Gibson, of Whitevale Street, Dennistoun.

Annette Shreenan, who was walking her two granddaughters to school on the day, gave evidence at the trial.

The 50-year-old said: “The lollipop woman stepped out to see us across and just at that point the lorry started moving.”

She told the court Ms Gibson faced the lorry, put her hand up and walked backwards but it continued to move and she was caught underneath.

Mrs Shreenan added: “It just happened so fast and she was under the wheel.”

In his evidence, McEwan claimed his lorry stopped on the pedestrian crossing before the incident and that he did not see Mrs Gibson before she was under his truck.

He said: “I was so close to the kerb and pedestrian safety barrier I just thought it was unlikely, impossible for anything or person to come up my nearside because it was really so close.”

The court heard also heard he has been left “devastated” by the incident.

It was said on behalf of McEwan that he has “sincerely and deeply held regret about the consequences of the accident and the memory of which will remain with him”.