Devastation for mother of 'boy racer' crash victim

A WOMAN who lost her sister in a notorious murder case almost ten years ago has spoken of her devastation after her daughter was knocked down and killed by an 80mph hit-and-run "boy racer".

June Tiffney felt guilty over the death of her daughter, Fiona Clason, 24, an honours graduate who had hoped to be a teacher, because she had been visiting her flat on the night of the accident, a court heard yesterday.

Her only comfort was that Ms Clason's organs had been donated and helped five other people.

In 2002, Ms Tiffney's sister, Louise Tiffney, disappeared from her home in Edinburgh. Her body was never found but her son, Sean Flynn, stood trial for her murder in 2005. He was acquitted by a not proven verdict.

In yesterday's case, David Nisbet, 22, of Edinburgh, admitted causing the death of Ms Clason, of New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh, by dangerous driving in November 2009 and failing to stop after the accident. He will be sentenced next month and the judge, Lady Smith, warned him he faced jail.

Ms Tiffney attended the hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh. As she left, she said: "There's nothing I can say other than I have been devastated by the loss of my daughter."

The court heard Nisbet bought a 2.3 litre silver Volkswagen Golf car on the day of the crash. That evening, he met a friend, Georgina Laird, and drove with her to Waterfront Broadway, Granton. The road had a 460-metre straight section, but there was a 30mph speed limit. A motorist overtaken by the car said it was going at a speed "like a boy racer". There were strong winds, and it was dark and raining.

The advocate-depute, Laura Thomson, said Ms Clason left her mother's flat to catch a bus from the other side of the road.

Ms Laird described closing her eyes because Nisbet was driving too fast, and opening them when she heard him scream. She saw a "shadow" in the road ahead and Nisbet swerved the car but collided with Ms Clason.