DISQUALIFIED DRIVER JAILED FOR KILLING PENSIONER IN STOLEN MASERATI CRASH

Fraser Garden, a disqualified driver, has been sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in prison after killing 74-year-old John Bell in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, in April. Garden, aged 55, was driving a stolen Maserati Quattroporte when it crashed through a hedge into Bell's garden, striking and pinning the pensioner against a wall. Bell was pronounced dead at the scene. The High Court in Edinburgh was told that Garden had 90 previous convictions and two previous lifetime driving bans.

On the day of the collision, Garden had stolen the Maserati from West End Garage and drove it at speed through Broughty Ferry, overtaking vehicles and forcing his way between oncoming traffic. He drove through a red light before speeding up a hill on the wrong side of the road and lost control of the vehicle. Police data downloaded from the car showed it had been travelling at 85mph in a 30mph zone in the 3.5 seconds before impact. Garden tested positive for cocaine and refused to give a blood sample at hospital, although he tested negative for alcohol. The court was told Garden had been released on bail over multiple shoplifting charges a week before the fatal crash.

Judge Lord Braid stated that Garden had stolen the life of a man in what should have been the sanctuary of his own garden. Bell was a retired taxi driver with a 30-year career, previously employed as a bus conductor. He was married with three children, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Garden had previously admitted causing Bell's death by dangerous driving.