Prison officer killed 'one in a million' Scots dad after hitting him with car
A prison officer has admitted causing the death of a dog walker after striking him with his car.
Robert Jardine, 40, was returning from a night shift at HMP Addiewell when he hit William Henderson in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire.
He stopped his Citroen and contacted the emergency services before trying to help a stricken Mr Henderson, 49, who had been walking on a cycle path.
Mr Henderson, a dad-of-two and a grandfather, was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow but died hours later in May last year.
Medics discovered he had suffered a 'significant' head injury, a fractured neck and was in cardiac arrest.
Jardine told police investigating the horror incident: "I was driving home from work and saw a male walking a dog and as I approached him he just walked out in front of me."
He was charged over the incident after an eight month investigation.
Jardine, of Cumbernauld, appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court and admitted causing death by careless driving.
The court heard Mr Henderson was walking his pet dog at 8.10am when Jardine's car left the road and struck him.
A witness heard Jardine say in the aftermath of the incident: "He just walked out in front of me, I couldn't stop."
The police investigation found Jardine approached Mr Henderson, who had his back towards the vehicle, at 39mph and then hit him.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Police found 'no faults or defects' with the Citroen that could have contributed to the collision.
The bumper of the Citroen was broken and there was damage to the headlights as a result of Mr Henderson being struck.
Tony Lenehan KC, defending, said: "Nothing I say can undo the harm caused to Mr Henderson and his family.
"Mr Henderson was in no way responsible for what happened and was perfectly entitled to be walking in the cycle lane and to expect drivers to drive safely.
"Mr Jardine has no previous convictions and has no points on his licence."
Sheriff Paul Haran deferred sentence until next month for reports, continued bail and disqualified Jardine from driving meantime.
Mr Henderson's loved ones had previously paid tribute to him and described him as 'one of life's good guys' and 'one in a million'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Boy killed by sick gang after being kidnapped over mum's £39 debt
A five-year-old boy has been brutally killed in Mexico after being snatched by a gang when his mum couldn't repay a debt of just £39. A little boy was snatched from his home and killed by a gang after his mum fell behind on a debt of just £39. Heartbroken Noemi Gomez, who has a communication disability, had borrowed 1,000 pesos from local loan sharks in La Paz, Mexico so she could pay her rent. But when she couldn't pay it back, her five-year-old son Fernando was kidnapped on July 28 by a gang who lived nearby, reports the Mirror. It has been reported that Noemi had borrowed the cash from two women, named only as Ana 'N' and Lilia 'N', and that they, along with a man known as Carlos 'N', took the youngster as "guarantee" for the money being repaid. The desperate mum went looking for her boy, believing she knew where he was being held. But she says she was threatened and attacked by the gang and unable to rescue her child. A neighbour, Maria Pascual, told Nmas: "The day she went to ask for her child, they tried to beat her because she couldn't speak well." Noemi pleaded for help from local authorities, trying to report her son missing. But she says she was bounced between offices and ignored until the case was eventually picked up by a domestic violence unit. However, it was too late. Now, the local community is furious at how slow local authorities were to act on her missing son. Fernando's life could have been saved if they had acted quicker. Six days later, on August 4, police went with Noemi to the property where she believed Fernando was being kept. Inside, they found black bags giving off a foul smell. Horrifyingly, the bags contained the decomposing body of the little boy. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. An autopsy revealed he had died from a severe blow to the head, likely from a hammer. He also had injuries to his arms, legs and chest and had been left without food or water throughout his captivity. DNA testing was needed to confirm his identity. Alfredo Gomez, Noemi's brother, said: "My sister went to the council and then an office in Nezahualcóyotl, and she was ignored. They should do their job because this could have been avoided." "He was a loving kid and all," Ms Gomez said. "He wasn't to blame for anything that happened. I want justice for him." All three suspects now face kidnapping and murder charges.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Two arrested as £74k drugs haul recovered in Edinburgh
A quantity of cash was also recovered during a search of a property. Two people have been arrested after a five-figure haul of drugs was recovered in Edinburgh. Police in the capital stopped and searched a 21-year-old man in Hailesland Grove, in the Wester Hailes area on Friday, August 8. He was allegedly found to be in possession of cannabis. Further enquiries led officers to a car parked nearby, where quantities of cocaine and heroin were recovered. The drugs had an estimated value of more than £74,000. Two addresses, one in Wester Hailes, the other in the Pilton area, were later searched. A quantity of cash was discovered in one of the properties. A man and woman, both aged 21, have been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, August 11. Detective Sergeant John Dunn said: 'We work tirelessly to remove illegal drugs from communities every day and remain committed to disrupting the activities of those who supply drugs. 'We cannot tackle this issue alone and would urge the public to continue supporting us in building intelligence about the possession and supply of drugs by contacting Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. It comes as three people were arrested at the first of Oasis' three gigs in the capital on Friday night in separate incidents. A man and two women, all in their 40s, were arrested at Murrayfield Stadium over offences including abusive behaviour, assault and possession of illegal drugs. The man and one of the women are expected to appear in court at a later date. The second woman received a recorded police warning.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Teenager slashed in face as bloody brawl breaks out on Paisley street
The 17-year-old was slashed in the face in Gauze Street, Paisley on Friday evening. A teenager was rushed to hospital after being slashed in the face with a knife during a violent street brawl in Paisley. The 17-year-old was injured in a fight involving rival gangs of youths in Gauze Street at around 9.30pm on Friday. Police say the victim had been with a group "who appear to have met up with another group of youths" in the Renfrewshire town, before a fight broke out. Officers believe several of those involved were armed with knives and one was used to inflict the teenager's facial injury. He was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment before being discharged. Officers described his attacker as white, in his late teens, of slim build and wearing a blue North Face hooded top with white horizontal stripes, and a black "bum-bag". A second 17-year-old boy was also attacked, suffering a punch to the face, but did not require hospital treatment. The suspect in this other attack is described as white, in his late teens, of slim build, and wearing a grey tracksuit which was light grey on top half and dark grey bottom half, and with a tattoo on his left hand. Officers said both suspects ran off under the bridge at Gilmour Street towards Christie Lane following the incident. Both were then caught on CCTV in Old Sneddon Street later in the evening dressed in different clothes. Detective Constable Rhys Wake of Paisley CID said: "From our inquiries so far, we know that the injured youths were part of a group who appear to have met up with another group of youths. During that meet, a fight took place. "We believe a number of the youths were armed with knives, with obviously one being used and causing injury. "We also know from our CCTV inquiries that the suspects have changed their clothes and were later seen around midnight in Old Sneddon Street walking towards Moncrieff Street. The suspect, who was in light blue hoodie originally, is described on this occasion as wearing a black top and royal blue tracksuit bottoms. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "The suspect in grey tracksuit changed into a full black tracksuit and this time he had a black "bum bag". "Gauze Street around 9.30pm is very busy, so we'd like to hear from anyone who saw the fight or has information that may help us trace those responsible. "If you were driving in the Gauze Street, Gilmour Street, Christie Lane area between 9.20 and 9.40pm, or Old Sneddon Street or Moncrieff Street around midnight, and have dashcam on your vehicle, we'd be keen to view any footage you think may be of assistance." Police have appealed to anyone with information to call them on 101, quoting incident number 3760 of Friday, August 8 2025, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
