A MOTORIST who knocked down and killed a Scots toddler has walked free from court after receiving a suspended jail sentence.
Thirty-nine-year-old Rebekah Le Gal pleaded guilty in March to killing three-year-old Clinton Pringle through careless driving in a section of ‘shared space’ road in which there are usually no traffic lights, signs, kerbs and road markings.
The offence, which took place in Jersey 13 months ago, had carried a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Le Gal received an eight month jail term suspended for two years and was disqualified from driving for 30 months. She will have to sit a driving test before she can drive again after her ban.
Young Clinton from Moodiesburn, North Lanarkshire, was on a family holiday when he died after being struck by Le Gal's Volkswagen Transporter van during a holiday to St Helier, Jersey, in June 2016.
Clinton's father Michael said after the sentencing: "Those that are responsible for the implementation of these spaces also have Clinton's blood on their hands."
He has supported a campaign to stop a similar 'shared space' junction in Kirkintilloch, East Dumbartonshire.
Mr Pringle added: "The [UK] courts and the [UK] government have ruled that these spaces discriminate against certain members of society. How town planners and designers disregarded these views is beyond my comprehension."
Le Gal was cleared of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving after the Jersey lay judges known as jurats found that although she had used her phone to text her son while at the wheel, it had not caused the accident.
She admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.
The prosecution said Le Gal was using her mobile phone when she rounded the corner of Tunnell Street and struck Clinton as he crossed the road to get to Town Park in St Helier.
Her defence team said she did use her mobile on Tunnell Street but stopped texting about 25 seconds before the collision.
Jersey police said the sentencing concluded a tragic and complex case.
A spokesman said: "Our thoughts remain very much with Clinton's family, who we have continued to support throughout this case.
"Tragically, cases of this nature demonstrate the ultimate consequence of drivers not paying attention.
"We remain committed to ensuring, with partners, that our roads are as safe as they can be and we will continue to target those drivers who use their mobile phones whilst driving - drivers though must take personal responsibility."
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