Hit-and-run driver spared jail over pedestrian death

Mohammad Rashid was described as "genuinely remorseful"

A hit-and-run driver who pleaded guilty to careless driving which caused the death of a pedestrian after he stepped out on to the road on a night out has been sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work and a 27-month driving ban.

Mohammad Rashid was driving at 41mph in a 30mph zone when his car hit 36-year-old James Risk in Stenhousemuir, just after midnight on 11 March 2022.

Mr Risk died at the scene after he was thrown into the air and hit his head on a kerb.

Rashid, 29, sped off at up to 46mph before driving to his home two-and-a-half miles away, collecting his wife, and returning with her to the scene.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “It cannot be said this tragedy occurred due to a momentary lapse.

“Your average speed was significantly over the speed limit.

“You said you saw drunk people walking on the pavement, yet you took no steps to lower your speed or to distance yourself from the potential danger that those pedestrians might pose.

“The circumstances were tragically straightforward and unfortunately all too common.”

The sheriff said Rashid's behaviour after the collision was “quite extraordinary”.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that Mr Risk, a bricklayer, was walking home from the bowling club with his brother and friends.

He stepped off the pavement in front of Rashid's car and was thrown into the air before striking his head on a kerb.

One witness said he did not think Rashid would have had any time to react.

Prosecutor John Adams said: “Mr Risk stepped onto the road in front of the car, resulting in Mr Rashid striking him from behind with the front nearside of the car.”

Police collision investigators noted there were “very good lighting conditions” at the site of the accident.

They concluded that the incident was caused by the excessive speed of Rashid's car and by the driver failing to look sufficiently far ahead of his vehicle for hazards.

They also noted that Mr Risk was walking on the carriageway rather than the pavement.

Defence lawyer Simon Hutchison said: “In all my years of practice, I have never seen anyone so genuinely remorseful.”