Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 12:00
Couple's disgust as crash driver is released
By Nicola Findlay
Print Article
Injured couple John and Joanne Macdonald are upset that driver Mohammed Ahmed is appealing his sentence.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
AN ALLOA couple left fighting for their lives at the roadside say they are “disgusted” that the teenage driver who hit them is appealing against his sentence.
Mohammed Ahmed was sentenced to 12 months’ detention in a young offenders’ institute by Sheriff David Mackie last December – but he was released from custody last month pending his appeal.
The teenager admitted ploughing into John and Joanne Macdonald at a pedestrian crossing in Alloa’s Greenside Street, propelling them 20-30ft in the air, and then driving off.
Both John and Joanne sustained serious injuries and spent weeks in hospital.
Neither of them have been able to work since Ahmed left them fighting for their lives on 4 October 2006 and say their lives have been ruined.
However, the couple were left reeling after they received a letter from Victim Information and Advice last month informing them that Ahmed was appealing his sentence and was no longer in custody.
John told the Advertiser, “We are extremely angry and disappointed that our legal system is letting him out.
“We really feel as if the legal system has let us, the victims, down. He pled guilty and should accept his punishment.
“At the end of the day my wife and I can’t appeal against him being released and lodging an appeal.
“He was given a fair sentence by Sheriff Mackie. Even though he was sentenced to 12 months, he probably would have only done six months at a push.
“He wasn’t even in custody for two months but my wife and I have been given a life sentence. We are stuck with our injuries for the rest of our lives.”
Joanne spent three weeks in Intensive Care and the High Dependency Unit at Stirling Royal Infirmary with a brain haemorrhage and a broken leg.
She then had to spend three weeks living with her daughter, who has young children, before she could go home.
Joanne still suffers from severe headaches, dizzy spells and memory problems, and has to attend a head injuries unit in Edinburgh for regular appointments.
Fractures
Meanwhile, John was in hospital for three months with multiple fractures of his pelvis, broken bones in his lower left leg and two broken ribs.
He also had internal bleeding, which was potentially life threatening, and will have to walk with a stick for the rest of his life.
On the night of the horrific crash John and Joanne had were out as it was the anniversary of their daughter Gillian’s death.
Insult
After Ahmed was sentenced the couple told the Advertiser that they didn’t know whether they would be able to forgive the teenager for what he did, and they feel that by appealing he is simply adding insult to injury.
“This is the second time that he has lodged an appeal, although the first appeal was thrown out.
“If this appeal is successful he could be freed permanently of have his sentenced reduced - where is the justice in that?
“We have received so called British justice as its best but it seems it has been a waste of court time and money, and it is absolutely disgusting,” added John.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
Nae Numpties allowed...but tourists are welcome