A DRINK-DRIVER who caused the deaths of two women in a "truly dreadful" car crash was given back his licence yesterday, after impressing a judge with his efforts to turn around his life.
David Sheridan, 34, had received a ten-year driving ban when he was jailed in 2002 for ramming into a stationary car at almost 60mph. He had been drinking, and was on bail awaiting trial for an earlier offence of driving while over the alcohol limit.
A court was told that since being released from prison, Sheridan had found work as a motor mechanic and was highly regarded by his employer, but his lack of a licence was a handicap.
Sheridan, of Carrick Knowe Terrace, Edinburgh, said he was "a lot wiser now" and Lady Dorrian
told him: "I am, I think, quite impressed with the efforts which have been made to re-build a life for yourself after coming out of prison, and with the qualifications you have obtained."
On 15 December, 2001, Lorraine Griffen, 41, of Berneray Street, Glasgow, was driving her partner, Alan McIntyre, to his home at South Beechwood, Balgreen, Edinburgh. Her friend, Letitia Gillick, 46, of Owen Avenue, East Kilbride, was also in the car.
The accident happened at about 2am, as their Rover car waited to turn right from Corstorphine Road into Balgreen Road, Edinburgh. Sheridan's Vauxhall Senator approached the T-junction from Balgreen Road at high speed.
Witnesses described the car accelerating at the give-way line and crossing into the junction, striking the side of the Rover.
Ms Gillick, a mother of two teenage children, was already dead when passing motorists went to offer assistance. Ms Griffen had a very weak pulse, but died within minutes. Both had to be cut from the wreckage. Mr McIntyre suffered injuries to the shoulder, neck and back.
Sheridan, who fractured his breastbone, was seen to get out of his car, inspect the damage and light a cigarette. His alcohol count was 66, the limit being 35. A few weeks earlier, Sheridan had been caught driving with an alcohol count of 74. He was allowed bail on condition he surrendered his driving licence.
Sheridan admitted causing the women's deaths by dangerous driving, and was jailed for seven years by Lord Abernethy, who said a severe penalty – the maximum term was ten years – was needed to mark the consequences of Sheridan's actions. He also imposed a ten-year disqualification.
The defence counsel, Donald Findlay, QC, had said Sheridan appeared to have taken his foot off the accelerator and then hit the pedal again instead of the brake. He was "burdened by guilt and has been profoundly affected by what happened".
Sheridan became eligible for parole in 2006 after serving half of the sentence. Yesterday, his petition seeking the return of his driving licence was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Lady Dorrian was told that Sheridan had completed successfully a course in prison on "sensible drinking", and since his release he had obtained a job with Pentland Land Rover Edinburgh, as a vehicle technician.
The firm described him as "diligent and hard-working", but explained that being unable to drive was a bar to his gaining further qualifications.
Lady Dorrian questioned Sheridan about his drinking, and he said: "I was out at a wedding reception at the weekend with my girlfriend and only had two drinks. I am a lot older and wiser now."
The full article contains 582 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
