Bonnet ride driver loses appeal claim

Published on 29/09/2012 13:35

A “HORMONAL” woman caught on camera driving at speed through a town while a man desperately clung to the bonnet of the car has failed to cut her jail sentence.

Suzanne Gilchrist, of Boswall Parkway in Granton, was followed by a security guard in Falkirk after she was suspected of shoplifting.

But as she made her escape, she shunted pedestrian Stuart Morris, who had been crossing the street, along the road, forcing him to jump on the bonnet.

She drove for almost 300 metres before stopping at a red light, where Mr Morris kicked the windscreen.

Gilchrist, 38, began to drive off again with Mr Morris still on the bonnet, but a chasing security guard managed to force open the driver’s door and switch off the engine.

She was jailed for four years and three months at Stirling Sheriff Court, but solicitor advocate Simon Collins argued at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh yesterday that a lesser term should be imposed following her guilty plea. He said the discount she received was “harsh and unfair”.

Lord Eassie, sitting with Lord Wheatley, said they would refuse the appeal.