A grieving mother’s poignant letter to a sheriff pleaded for mercy for the man who killed her teenage daughter and another friend in a horror crash.
Debbie Gilham’s 16-year-old daughter Georgia was in the front seat when David White – Georgia’s boyfriend – drove his black Vauxhall Corsa head-on into a Mercedes Benz near his home in Croy.
IN FULL: Grieving mother’s letter to sheriff asking for leniency for death crash driver
White, 20, received 300 hours community service, a road ban and was ordered to be tagged when he appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday for sentencing – but he avoided prison apparently thanks, in part, to Mrs Gilham’s words.
Yesterday, Mrs Gilham said that although she will never get over he tragic loss, “it is a relief” that court proceedings are finally at an end.
Her letter, part of which was read out to Sheriff Chris Dickson by defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif,read: “I can’t help Georgia now, but if she were here today she would be begging me to do everything in my power to help David.
“His world has already changed, and he will always carry this guilt with him. But a possible jail sentence will change things all over again.
“Being supportive of David does not lessen my heartbreak at losing Georgia. I miss Georgia every second of the day; her shoes still lie at the front door where she left them; her bed is still unmade from the last morning she got up; her favourite foods still sit in my cupboard.
“As deeply heartbroken as I already am over losing my daughter, it breaks my heart all over again to think about David’s life possibly being changed so drastically.”
Following yesterday’s sentencing Mrs Gilham added: “David is my last connection to Georgia, the last person to be with her, to hold her hand, see her smile, hear her voice and listen to her laugh. And throughout all this, the only small piece of comfort I have is that I know Georgia was immensely happy at the end of her life.”
After sentencing, Mrs Gilham hugged White as did other members of her family and of John Foggo, the 18-year-old mechanic who also died.
Mr Foggo’s family declined to comment on the outcome of proceedings but Mr Latif confirmed yesterday that they were still supportive of White.
As White walked free yesterday he said: “I am grateful for the support from Debbie, John, Louise and all the family.”
He added: “I am kind of glad it’s all over.”
The court was told that White had only passed his test six months before and lost control as he went through a bend and crossed the centre line into the path of the oncoming car on the B9006 Inverness-Cantraybruich road in March last year.
Killed instantly were Georgia and rear seat passenger, Mr Foggo, who died later in hospital from an unsurvivable head injury.
Another passenger, who cannot be named, was injured.
White sustained head and pelvic injuries.
The quartet had been in Inverness at McDonalds and left to go to White’s home.
Yesterday, Mr Latif added: “He is a young man who is devastated and has struggled to come to terms with the loss of his friends. He is clearly traumatised by these events and has recurring flashbacks.
“He has given up his job as a mechanic because he can’t concentrate and is worried he will make a mistake. He did not mean to cause the deaths of his then girlfriend and his friend.
“What caused the collision is not certain but whatever led to the loss of control was a secondary lapse or error of judgement. He didn’t slow sufficiently down.”
White, who admitted causing death by careless driving, was ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service, banned him from driving for 16 months and imposed a restriction of liberty order for 90 days.
He will have to wear a tag and remain in his home at Dalcroy Road, Croy between 8pm and 6am.
Sheriff Dickson recognised that White has expressed “genuine deep regret and remorse” for his actions, and that a criminal justice social work report concluded he is at “very low risk of re-offending.”
Sheriff Dickson added: “Had this been a charge of death by dangerous driving, I don’t think there would have been an alternative to custody.
“The loss of Georgia and John has clearly had a devastating effect on their families. A victim impact statement by Georgia’s mother eloquently sets out how truly heartbroken she was about the loss of her daughter and, no doubt, John’s family feel the same way.
“I have taken account of a criminal justice social work report and GP letter, and the victim impact statement and an additional letter by Georgia’s mother where she expressed support for you. I have taken account of the careful plea in mitigation, in particular.”
Sheriff Dickson told the court the most likely contributing factors in the accident may have included excessive speed and steering, coupled with a lack of experience.
