Parents condemn 'pathetic' killer hit-and-run driver sentence

Robyn Fryar died three hours after being hit by Gatti's car

The parents of a teenage girl who was killed by a hit-and-run driver have described his sentence as "pathetic".

Robyn Fryar, 15, died in hospital three hours after she was critically injured crossing a road in Paisley last July.

Shaun Gatti, 21, who was on the wrong side of the road and speeding, has been jailed for five years and three months.

But Iain Fryar and Cheryl Madden told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime they feel let down by the Scottish justice system.

Gatti admitted causing the schoolgirl's death by driving his Volkswagen Golf after consuming alcohol.

He also pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at the High Court in Glasgow to failing to stop after the fatal crash.

The court heard Gatti hid his smashed car under a tarpaulin but it was found by police after an anonymous tip-off.

The 15-year-old was struck as she crossed Glenburn Road in Paisley

Mr Fryar told Drivetime he drove to the hospital after he got a phone call from his niece and arrived at as Robyn was being taken out of the ambulance.

He said: "It's the most heart-wrenching, terrible, horrible thing.

"To see your daughter in a hospital bed, lying dead, and to hold your daughter...that night will just never leave you."

Ms Madden added: "Our lives have been destroyed."

Asked about the sentence, she said: "I think it's ridiculous and I don't think it sends out a good message.

"You can kill someone and you are out in five years. What sort of message is that sending out?"

'Most acute grief'

Mr Fryar said: "I think it is absolutely pathetic.

"All we wanted was a bit of justice for our daughter.

"We are going to live with the hell for the rest of our lives.

"I don't understand what was going through the judge's head and why he thinks my daughter's life was only worth a couple of years of this person's life

The couple said Gatti's attempt to cover up his crime and his lack of remorse have compounded their agony.

Ms Madden said: "There is absolutely no empathy from the man and he tried to conceal it."

She also paid tribute to her daughter, who she described as "my wee diamond".

Judge Lord Mulholland told Gatti he had "delivered the most acute grief" and a "life sentence" to Robyn's family, who were in court for the hearing.

The judge added: "You fled the scene and this was a most cowardly act.

"You should have faced up to what you had done and tried to help her."

Lord Mulholland paid tribute to the "enduring bravery" and "human spirit" of Robyn's relatives.

John McElroy, defending Gatti, said: "There is no doubt that this is a tragic case and that Robyn Fryar was a shining light to her family.

"It is difficult not to be moved by the victim impact statements from her devastated family."

Gatti was banned from the road for a total of 11 years and seven months.