Edinburgh death driver jailed
A hit-and-run driver who killed a four-year-old girl and seriously injured her mother while high on drugs was today jailed for 13 years.
Daniel Jackson, 31, of Edinburgh's Grassmarket, drove his 4x4 along a city pavement, hitting Rachel Donachie and her daughter Olivia as they strolled home from nursery.
The youngster suffered horrific injuries and was killed instantly at the scene, just yards from the family's home in Redford Drive, Colinton.
Her 33-year-old mother later had her left leg amputated below the knee as a result of the injuries she suffered.
Married father-of-three Jackson, who is a drug addict and has a string of previous convictions including crimes of violence, last month admitted the culpable homicide of Olivia on May 30.
At the High Court in Glasgow he was also banned from driving for life.
Last month he admitted a charge of culpable homicide in relation to the death of Olivia on May 30 this year.
Judge Lord Menzies heard that witnesses described Jackson as "driving like a maniac".
He had downed Valium and methadone on the day in question and claimed to have taken heroin and 20 to 30 Valium tablets the previous night.
The High Court in Edinburgh also heard there were 11 defects with the brakes on Jackson's Jeep Cherokee, rendering it unsafe to drive.
Advocate-depute Dorothy Bain said Jackson was driving at about 40mph when the accident happened, adding that tradesmen working on a nearby house described the sound of the crash as being "like a bomb going off".
| You were driving like a maniac | | Lord Menzies |
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Jackson left the scene of the fatal collision, but later turned up at a hospital in Edinburgh, having slashed his wrists.
He told medics: "I killed a little girl."
He was taken to the city's St Leonard's police station, where he said: "I deserve life for what I've done, a life for a life."
Passing sentence, Judge Lord Menzies asked Jackson: "What possessed you to do the awful things which you did on May 30, 2007?
"You drove your Jeep in a furious, dangerous and wholly irresponsible manner without any thought or consideration for the safety of pedestrians or other road users."
He continued: "It's little wonder that several onlookers described you as driving as if you were being chased by the police and that you were driving like a maniac.
"You were driving like a maniac."
The judge went on: "Little Olivia was just four years old and had been collected from nursery by her mother, Rachel. They were on their way home with Olivia's brother.
"They were where they should have been safe - on the pavement."
And he added: "You killed little Olivia instantly, crushing her between the Jeep and a wall, and you caused terrible injuries to her mother, resulting in the amputation of her left leg.
"The hearts of all right-thinking members of society must surely go out to the Donachie family."
Gordon Jackson QC said in mitigation that Jackson was "extremely remorseful" for his actions.
He pointed out that Jackson had not immediately run away from the scene of the crash, and had initially tried to call the police before leaving.
He also said Jackson had not been driving illegally, and had a licence, insurance and an MoT certificate.
A statement read out on behalf of Paul Donachie, Olivia's father, outside court said he hoped the sentence would act as a deterrent.
He said: "I can only hope that this sentence helps deter other drivers who may otherwise choose to drive in such a reckless way, or while under the influence of drugs."
Inspector John Beresford, one of the officers who investigated Olivia's death. said outside court: "Daniel Jackson's actions were both criminally reckless and showed a total disregard for the safety of the public.
"This sentence should send an extremely strong message to all road users who may consider driving whilst under the influence of drugs, those who fail to maintain their vehicles to the required standard and those who drive with utter disregard for the safety of the public."
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Posted by: Yok Finney, Ross-shire on 11:39am Tue 9 Oct 07
Should all these ugly out-sized jeeps be barred from city streets? They don't all drive like that, do they? But why would they buy and own such vehicles if only to sit on their high seats to feed their [bold]paranoia[/bold] about fellow motorists and [bold]pedestrians[/bold] ?
Should all these ugly out-sized jeeps be barred from city streets? They don't all drive like that, do they? But why would they buy and own such vehicles if only to sit on their high seats to feed their
paranoia about fellow motorists and
pedestrians ?
Posted by: Thinker, uk on 11:48am Tue 9 Oct 07
ask any psychologist, women who drive these monsters are usually of the very insecure type and men who drive them usually have very small willys
i hope this creep and the other scumbag jailed last week for jack andersons death are both put in the same cell and have an horrendous time in prison, lets hope that everyday they are targetted by fellow cons
ask any psychologist, women who drive these monsters are usually of the very insecure type and men who drive them usually have very small willys
i hope this creep and the other scumbag jailed last week for jack andersons death are both put in the same cell and have an horrendous time in prison, lets hope that everyday they are targetted by fellow cons
Posted by: Sylvander, Stirling on 11:57am Tue 9 Oct 07
The driving of penis extension (vulgo 4x4) vehicles is in itself anti-social behaviour. Damaging to the environment of course. But also far more dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of an accident. They are about 3 times more likely to kill a pedestrian upon impact and 12 times more likely to cause severe head injuries than an ordinary car. I cannot see why people should be allowed outside the Scottish Highlands, let alone in inner cities with these tanks.
The driving of penis extension (vulgo 4x4) vehicles is in itself anti-social behaviour. Damaging to the environment of course. But also far more dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of an accident. They are about 3 times more likely to kill a pedestrian upon impact and 12 times more likely to cause severe head injuries than an ordinary car. I cannot see why people should be allowed outside the Scottish Highlands, let alone in inner cities with these tanks.
Posted by: TommyK60, Ayr on 12:01pm Tue 9 Oct 07
Mmmm, banned for life, I can only hope that this ban is never rescinded as these types of ban can be appealed against.
Then again how many times do we read about drivers who have life bans being caught time and again?
Mmmm, banned for life, I can only hope that this ban is never rescinded as these types of ban can be appealed against.
Then again how many times do we read about drivers who have life bans being caught time and again?
Posted by: a mother on 12:58pm Tue 9 Oct 07
[quote]You were driving like a maniac
[bold]Lord Menzies[/bold] [/quote]
Daniel Jackson, man, you are a maniac, I'd say.
You were driving like a maniac
Lord Menzies
Daniel Jackson, man, you are a maniac, I'd say.
Posted by: weegieman, upnorth on 1:21pm Tue 9 Oct 07
Absolutely agree - Ban these oversized Tonka toys now. Alternatively charge them vehicle excise duty as commercial vehicles and make the idiots who insist on driving them on our City streets pass an HGV test. That way the rest of us can be assured that they can competently drive the things and not endanger the lives of other road users and pedestrians.
Absolutely agree - Ban these oversized Tonka toys now. Alternatively charge them vehicle excise duty as commercial vehicles and make the idiots who insist on driving them on our City streets pass an HGV test. That way the rest of us can be assured that they can competently drive the things and not endanger the lives of other road users and pedestrians.
Posted by: Sad but true on 1:26pm Tue 9 Oct 07
Frankly the preceeding comments are somewhat sad. If this is the best people have to say on such a tragic case its pretty pathetic. Chance are that whatever this piece of dross was driving the outcome would have been the same. Focus on the fact that there should be the death penalty for scenarios such as this and that society is going down the pan. Hopefully non of the bereived family read your trash comments.
Frankly the preceeding comments are somewhat sad. If this is the best people have to say on such a tragic case its pretty pathetic. Chance are that whatever this piece of dross was driving the outcome would have been the same. Focus on the fact that there should be the death penalty for scenarios such as this and that society is going down the pan. Hopefully non of the bereived family read your trash comments.
Posted by: - bikerbabe - on 2:03pm Tue 9 Oct 07
High on drugs; diazepam, methadon, what else? He could have caused a fatal accident riding a tricycle, honestly.
But to be driving a Ford Cherokee in his condition?
Wasn't there someone else with him in the car?
That person is just as culpable as the maniac himself.
High on drugs; diazepam, methadon, what else? He could have caused a fatal accident riding a tricycle, honestly.
But to be driving a Ford Cherokee in his condition?
Wasn't there someone else with him in the car?
That person is just as culpable as the maniac himself.
Posted by: Colin B, Bearsden on 2:59pm Tue 9 Oct 07
JAckson is a disgrace but as with Purcell last week Scoittish Justice is also in disgrace - Justice system should have had both these maniacs behind bars for previous offiences -two children would be alive today if weak prosecutors, social workers and judges had done thier job on previous occasions.
JAckson is a disgrace but as with Purcell last week Scoittish Justice is also in disgrace - Justice system should have had both these maniacs behind bars for previous offiences -two children would be alive today if weak prosecutors, social workers and judges had done thier job on previous occasions.
Posted by: scotjeep, at work on 3:01pm Tue 9 Oct 07
Agree with sad but true about previous posters only having chips on their shoulders about Jeeps! Must ask the journalist why the term 4x4 was used in the first place!!! The Jeep did not kill this wee girl or mame her mum, the doped up driver, in this case Daniel Jackson, did it. If he had been driving a Fiesta or Corsa the result would sadly have been the same, but most of the above posters would have had nothing to comment about! I drive a Jeep Cherokee and I am not going to get drugged up and kill somebody, or drive it into Glasgow Airport. I am a diver and use my Jeep to tow, launch and retrieve a dive boat. I only use it at weekends as I walk to work every day, so my carbon emmissions and fuel consumption are likely less than the yummy mummies who do the school run and go to lunch and shops every day with their wee minis. And Thinker should see a new psychologist because I can assure you this guy has got it wrong....
Agree with sad but true about previous posters only having chips on their shoulders about Jeeps! Must ask the journalist why the term 4x4 was used in the first place!!! The Jeep did not kill this wee girl or mame her mum, the doped up driver, in this case Daniel Jackson, did it. If he had been driving a Fiesta or Corsa the result would sadly have been the same, but most of the above posters would have had nothing to comment about! I drive a Jeep Cherokee and I am not going to get drugged up and kill somebody, or drive it into Glasgow Airport. I am a diver and use my Jeep to tow, launch and retrieve a dive boat. I only use it at weekends as I walk to work every day, so my carbon emmissions and fuel consumption are likely less than the yummy mummies who do the school run and go to lunch and shops every day with their wee minis. And Thinker should see a new psychologist because I can assure you this guy has got it wrong....
Posted by: john o hara, canada on 3:35pm Tue 9 Oct 07
13 years is not enough. 100 years is not enough. The only way to ensure he never drives again is to keep him incarcerated where hopefully (i doubt it) he will get the help he needs
13 years is not enough. 100 years is not enough. The only way to ensure he never drives again is to keep him incarcerated where hopefully (i doubt it) he will get the help he needs
Posted by: Myeyesees, West of Scotland on 5:10pm Tue 9 Oct 07
[quote]"He also said Jackson had not been driving illegally, and had a licence, insurance and an MoT certificate"[/quote]
Bl**dy lawyers - so driving with that amount of crap in your system is legal? How can they ever defend scum like this??
"He also said Jackson had not been driving illegally, and had a licence, insurance and an MoT certificate"
Bl**dy lawyers - so driving with that amount of crap in your system is legal? How can they ever defend scum like this??
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 8:32pm Tue 9 Oct 07
"If he had been driving a Fiesta or Corsa the result would sadly have been the same, but most of the above posters would have had nothing to comment about! I drive a Jeep Cherokee and I am not going to get drugged up and kill someone"
Absolute nonsense written by an antisocial petrol headed tank driving moron. There is a very fundamental difference between a Fiesta or Corsa and a Chelsea Tractor, and this is ground clearance. . A child hit by the former will likely be knocked aside, however the later with its increased ground clearance and larger tyres will run over and fatally squash that same child. That's not even counting the dreadful standard of driving of these monstrosities. A good reason to ban your selfish, dangerous and antisocial penis extension.
"If he had been driving a Fiesta or Corsa the result would sadly have been the same, but most of the above posters would have had nothing to comment about! I drive a Jeep Cherokee and I am not going to get drugged up and kill someone"
Absolute nonsense written by an antisocial petrol headed tank driving moron. There is a very fundamental difference between a Fiesta or Corsa and a Chelsea Tractor, and this is ground clearance. . A child hit by the former will likely be knocked aside, however the later with its increased ground clearance and larger tyres will run over and fatally squash that same child. That's not even counting the dreadful standard of driving of these monstrosities. A good reason to ban your selfish, dangerous and antisocial penis extension.
Posted by: Me Again, uk on 9:34pm Tue 9 Oct 07
to the posters in here defending the driving of these vehicles in the city, yer wive's must be terrible frustrated with yer tiny wee willys
to the posters in here defending the driving of these vehicles in the city, yer wive's must be terrible frustrated with yer tiny wee willys
Posted by: me again, uk on 9:38pm Tue 9 Oct 07
do you drivers of these huge cars know that when most people see you driving them in our cities most folks are thinking things like small willy, low self esteem, pr**k, d**kheads, but mainly wee willy if its a bloke driving it, i know my wife thinks that whenever she sees a bloke driving one of them "hate to be his wife having to put up with such a small willy" is her usual thought
do you drivers of these huge cars know that when most people see you driving them in our cities most folks are thinking things like small willy, low self esteem, pr**k, d**kheads, but mainly wee willy if its a bloke driving it, i know my wife thinks that whenever she sees a bloke driving one of them "hate to be his wife having to put up with such a small willy" is her usual thought
Posted by: joan marshall, mississauga on, canada on 10:13pm Tue 9 Oct 07
dear oh dear . some awful disgusting comments . [willies etc[
yes i agree life should be life .
some poor wee girl lost her life and her mother badly injured. . awful to have this to live with .
these sort of people who drive under the influence have a choice to make drive or not . thank god i dont drive as i see and hear enough . oh yes they dont remember a thing about it , only the families and friends of those lost who suffer . they 'offenders ' t blank it out . yes i agree too many do gooders . life in prison life with lots of time to dwell on what they have done or find jesus . makes m e sick . joan marshall
dear oh dear . some awful disgusting comments . [willies etc[
yes i agree life should be life .
some poor wee girl lost her life and her mother badly injured. . awful to have this to live with .
these sort of people who drive under the influence have a choice to make drive or not . thank god i dont drive as i see and hear enough . oh yes they dont remember a thing about it , only the families and friends of those lost who suffer . they 'offenders ' t blank it out . yes i agree too many do gooders . life in prison life with lots of time to dwell on what they have done or find jesus . makes m e sick . joan marshall
Posted by: Nightwatch on 12:24am Wed 10 Oct 07
Aliens . . . . . dotting!
Aliens . . . . . dotting!
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