Driver fined and banned over toddler's death

Alex Radan died in hospital after being struck by a car in Charnwood Place

A man who was convicted of carelessly driving a car which struck and killed a toddler outside his home has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for a year.

Alan Dalrymple, 57, of Dumfries, was found guilty by jury earlier this month of causing the death of two-year-old Alex Radan in April 2021.

The child died in hospital after being knocked down with his scooter in the town's Charnwood Place.

Dalrymple was fined and banned from the road at Dumfries Sheriff Court.

Alan Dalrymple was fined and banned from driving at Dumfries Sheriff Court

The court previously heard how Dalrymple had been paying attention to the children in the play park across the street as he left his home.

His counsel said he was simply devastated at what had happened and that he had not seen the child.

Sheriff Colm Dempsey said it was impossible to comprehend the impact of the death of one’s child and that the sentence could in no way reflect the loss suffered.

He told Dalrymple that as a neighbour in Charnwood Place he would have been aware of the potential for Alex to enter the road between parked cars.

The sheriff said the accident had been caused by a momentary lapse in concentration.

The court heard a criminal justice social work report showed that Dalrymple was deeply remorseful, had a clean driving licence and remained in full-time work.

He was given a year’s driving ban and ordered to pay a fine of £1,000 plus a victim surcharge of £40.

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