Driver, 83, suffered leg spasm before fatal Skipton crash
North Yorkshire Police said multiple witnesses described how Pattinson's car failed to give way at a junction and continued at speed, before mounting a kerb and hitting Mr McPherson.His wife, Marjorie, who was also injured, said in a victim impact statement they had been married for 56 years, describing him as a "beloved" husband who "was kind, caring, loving and dedicated to his family"."His death was untimely and tragic, and our greatest sorrow is that we were not able to say goodbye to him," she said.She said the incident had shrunk her world and left her "afraid to visit Skipton" and "afraid to drive".
The court heard Pattinson, who walks with two sticks due to a neurological condition which affects his mobility, told police that as he put his foot on the accelerator at the junction his leg went into a spasm.He said it had only happened before when he was at home and never while driving.The court heard that professionals treating Pattinson's condition, known as spastic paraparesis, had not advised him to stop driving.Abigail Langford, for Pattinson, said her client had been in "total despair" and was truly sorry for the incident.She said Pattinson, of The Spinney, in Draughton, near Skipton, had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence a week after the fatal collision.She told the court it was of significance he did not "carry on driving against medical advice" and she urged the Recorder of Bradford Jonathan Rose to suspend the inevitable prison sentence.Miss Langford highlighted her client's age, his early guilty plea and his caring responsibilities for his wife.
'Unique and exceptional'
Judge Rose said he had carefully considered the medical evidence in the case and it was right to observe that no clinician had advised the defendant not to drive."You have surrendered your driving licence and you will never drive again," the judge told Pattinson."To be certain of that I intend to disqualify you from driving for the remainder of your life."The judge explained that the "unique and exceptional" features of the case meant he could pass a sentence outside of the guidelines.Speaking after sentencing, Det Con Laura Cleary, said it had been an "absolutely tragic and needless death"."It highlights the need for everyone to ensure they are fit to drive before getting behind the wheel – regardless of their age."
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Rapist who groomed and controlled victim jailed
A rapist who groomed and controlled his victim has been jailed for nine Kianipanah, 34, was found guilty of raping a woman at an address in Richmondshire in 2022 following a trial at Teesside Crown Court on 5 of Brook Road, Brent, was given a nine-year jail term as well as an additional three years on licence when he was sentenced on was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and has been made subject to a restraining order. 'Level of control' During his trial, the jury heard evidence that Kianipanah had groomed and controlled the woman around the time of the she found the courage to make a report to North Yorkshire Police in 2023, sparking a two-year woman had since also had access to a range of professional support and care, police said. Temporary Det Sgt Quita Readman said: "With her support, we carried out a thorough investigation capturing the whole story of the grooming stages Kianipanah engaged in before and after the rape, maintaining a level of control over the survivor."I have nothing but praise for the bravery of the survivor in this case."It also shows it is never too late to make a report to the police and seek support from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre and organisations such as Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS)."We are here to help you - please don't hesitate to get in touch." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
US woman accused of murder plot claims she flew to UK for birthday celebrations
Aimee Betro, 45, is alleged to have flown from Wisconsin as part of a plot orchestrated by co-conspirators Mohammed Aslam, 56, and Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, of Elms Avenue in Derby, to attack a rival family on September 7, 2019. A trial has heard allegations that Betro disguised her appearance with a niqab when she tried to shoot Sikander Ali at point blank range outside his home in Measham Grove, Birmingham, but the gun jammed, allowing Mr Ali to flee. Aimee Betro is standing trial at Birmingham Crown Court (PA Archive) Giving evidence in her defence on Monday, Betro, from Wisconsin, told Birmingham Crown Court she had slept with Nazir at an Airbnb during a visit to the UK spanning December 2018 and January 2019. Betro, who denies conspiracy to murder, possessing a self-loading pistol and a charge of fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing ammunition, said she did not meet Nazir – who she 'had feelings for' – during a second visit to the UK in May 2019. In her evidence, Betro said the first two visits had seen her doing 'touristy' things such as attending music events, viewing street art in east London, visiting a friend in Birmingham and taking care of a dog 'at someone's house in the middle of England'. Asked why she had paid a third visit to the UK, arriving at Manchester Airport from Atlanta around two weeks before the shooting, Betro told jurors: 'To celebrate my birthday and I won tickets for another boat party in London. 'And there was another little festival that was at Crystal Palace that I wanted to go to.' Betro's barrister, Paul Lewis KC, asked her what she thought of Nazir after meeting him on a dating app, communicating with him via Snapchat and meeting him in London. Betro answered: 'He was charming and I did like him. He was sweet and I did have feelings for him.' She told the court 'I would guess so' when asked if she thought Nazir had feelings for her, but added that she was not trying to build a relationship with him because they lived in different countries. Standing up in the witness box, Betro, wearing a casual round-necked navy blue top and square-rimmed glasses, began her evidence by giving personal details, including her height as being 5ft 5ins. During her evidence, Betro was asked about messages between her and Nazir which referred to a gun broker website and a silencer. She said she did not remember the message referring to a broker, but told the court she had posted 'gaming things' relating to an an old gaming system. She also told the court she had lived at an address in West Allis, Winsconsin, from 2013 to 2019 and had 'a couple of different degrees' in early childhood education and graphic design. The Crown alleges that Betro returned to the scene hours after the shooting and fired three shots into Mr Ali's house, which was empty at the time, before leaving the UK and flying back to the US the next day. The court heard father and son Aslam and Nazir, who were jailed last year for their part in the bungled assassination plot, were involved in a feud with Mr Ali's father, Aslat Mahumad. Nazir and Aslam had been injured during disorder at Mr Mahumad's clothing boutique in Birmingham in July 2018, jurors have been told, leading them to conspire to have someone kill him or a member of his family. The trial continues.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
Men gave false name to lure pensioner to door before killing him, court told
Stephen Ridgeway, 72, died in hospital more than a month after the attack at his home in Keynsham, near Bristol, in the early hours of November 3 last year. He was assaulted by Wayne Milsom, 50, and Ryan Robbins, 34, who had forced their way in to steal drugs, jurors at Bristol Crown Court heard on Monday. At the door, one of the men said his name was 'Matty' – an acquaintance of Mr Ridgeway's, leading him to open the door. Prosecutor Anna Vigars KC said both men went on to ransack the house, demand drugs and assault Mr Ridgeway so severely that he never recovered. They are charged with murder, manslaughter and burglary. Both admit being present but claim they acted in self-defence. Mr Ridgeway was taken to hospital that morning with six fractured ribs and breathing difficulties, and died on December 7 despite being transferred to intensive care. 'He was, despite all the care, unable to recover from those injuries and in the end died of those injuries and their complications,' Ms Vigars said. The court heard he suffered from a pre-existing lung condition, which made him particularly vulnerable to chest trauma. A pathologist found bruising to his ear and other signs of injury that did not match a simple fall. Inside the house, police discovered jars of flour spilt across the kitchen, cupboards emptied and bottles of Hennessy among the items taken. Blood was found on a hammer, a champagne bottle and two knives, jurors were told. The trial is being heard at Bristol Crown Court (Ben Birchall/PA) Ms Vigars said: 'This was a visit paid by those who were clearly intent on achieving something – we say, intent on getting their hands on the drugs they believed were in the house.' The victim's lodger, Ben Haughton, denied selling drugs and told police he had gone to bed early and was only woken when he heard officers arrive at the house. When he went downstairs, he found Mr Ridgeway with clear injuries and sat with him while he gave an account to police. Mr Ridgeway is said to have suggested one of the men may have previously pushed him into a hedge – an incident linked to Robbins, jurors were told. Milsom gave a prepared statement to police in which he claimed he had gone to the house to buy drugs and was invited in. He said Mr Ridgeway became irritated and pulled a knife on him, leading to a struggle in which he disarmed the victim and pushed him away in self-defence. He told police: 'All of my actions were in lawful self-defence, as I genuinely feared for my safety.' Robbins gave no comment in interview but accepts he was present at the time. Ms Vigars said: 'The prosecution position is that it was Mr Milsom who went into the house, with the encouragement and assistance of Mr Robbins, in order to steal, probably to try to find drugs. 'Those two were the aggressors. 'Mr Milsom may have been the one who used more violence but Mr Robbins was there to provide him with encouragement – to spur him on, if you like. 'Mr Robbins's presence meant it was two against one from Mr Ridgeway's point of view.' The trial continues.
