A pensioner who caused the death of a Western Isles minister in an accident in Edinburgh has been banned from driving for four years and placed under a curfew.
Kelman Edwards – who will be 79 tomorrow, ran over the Rev Tom Sinclair twice after dropping-off his daughter at Waverley Station.
Mr Sinclair, 76, from East Tarbet, Lewis, suffered internal injuries and died at the scene of the accident on May 19, 2014.
Edwards had discovered the down ramp to the station blocked by a new security barrier.
As he reversed up to Waverley Bridge, he pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake.
His automatic Vauxhall Astra shot across the road, driving over Mr Sinclair, who had been attending the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly and had been on his way from The Mound to meet his wife.
The car then hit a stationary bus, and as Edwards drove forward, his car hit the minister again.
Edwards, of Priestfield Road, Edinburgh, had earlier admitted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court causing Mr Sinclair’s death by careless driving.
As Edwards, using a walking stick, entered the court yesterday he tripped down a step, landed heavily on his back and was helped on to a seat.
Sheriff Frank Crowe allowed him to remain there instead of entering the dock.
His agent, solicitor, Jim Stephenson, told the court: “No adequate words can express his regret and remorse about his actions. It will stay with him for the rest of his life.”
Sheriff Crowe said he appreciated the accident had happened at a “very tricky locus” and that Edwards had not been aware of the situation with the barrier.
The sheriff placed Edwards on a restriction of liberty order confining him to his residence between 9pm-6am for six months.
He would also have to re-sit his test to get his licence back, although he has indicated he has no wish to drive again.
John Cunningham, presbytery clerk of Lewis, said: “This has been a great tragedy for all involved.
“Our prayers are with Mrs Pam Sinclair and her family who are now reliving the horror of 2014.
“But our prayers are also with Mr Edwards and his family as he tries to come to terms with the life-changing consequences of this dreadful accident.”