Drink-driver jailed for six years over crash death woman

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 21:50

AN OVER-the-limit driver who crashed his car and killed a passenger was jailed for six years yesterday.

Robert Park, 22, had just met Stacey Muldoon, 23, a mother of two children, and was giving her a lift home when the accident occurred in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

A judge told Park, who described himself as a binge drinker, that a message had to be sent out that all too often the consequences of dangerous driving proved fatal. Lord Kinclaven said the sentence would have been nine years' imprisonment, but Park was entitled to a discount for pleading guilty.

Park, of Strathview Road, Bellshill, Lanarkshire, admitted causing the death of Ms Muldoon, of Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, on 9 July last year.

He was more than twice the legal alcohol limit, and he had no licence or insurance. He had never passed the driving test.

Ms Muldoon, a shop assistant, had been on a night out with friends in Larkhall, and had been introduced to Park.

He agreed to give her and another man a lift home, but was speeding in a built-up area and swerving from side to side. The car mounted the pavement and struck a lamp-post.

Investigators calculated Park had been doing 45mph to 55mph approaching the scene, and had hit the lamp-post with "very considerable force."

Ms Muldoon suffered fatal neck and chest injuries.

Park's alcohol count was 194, the legal limit being 80, and he had also taken a tranquillizer.

The defence counsel, Louise Arrol, told the High Court in Edinburgh that Park had expressed sorrow that his conduct had resulted in a woman losing her life.

"He recognises there is nothing he can do to make amends for that tragedy taking place," she added.

Lord Kinclaven banned Park from driving for eight years.