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Dad 'disgusted' by crash sentence Dad 'disgusted' by crash sentence
(9 minutes later)
The father of a 14-year-old girl knocked down and killed in September 2007 said his family has received "no justice".The father of a 14-year-old girl knocked down and killed in September 2007 said his family has received "no justice".
On Monday at Belfast Crown Court. Michael Thomas McDonnell, 20, pleaded guilty to killing Adele Whiteside by dangerous driving.On Monday at Belfast Crown Court. Michael Thomas McDonnell, 20, pleaded guilty to killing Adele Whiteside by dangerous driving.
McDonnell, from Garnock in west Belfast, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, suspended for three years.McDonnell, from Garnock in west Belfast, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, suspended for three years.
Adele was returning home from a wedding when she was knocked down.Adele was returning home from a wedding when she was knocked down.
In the sentencing remarks, the court heard that Adele was thrown into the air as she was hit by the car, and was knocked a distance of 52.5 metres.In the sentencing remarks, the court heard that Adele was thrown into the air as she was hit by the car, and was knocked a distance of 52.5 metres.
Forensic examination of the scene found that after the initial impact with McDonnell's car, Adele struck another, parked, car, decreasing the distance she travelled.Forensic examination of the scene found that after the initial impact with McDonnell's car, Adele struck another, parked, car, decreasing the distance she travelled.
From her final resting place, a forensic scientist concluded that McDonnell was driving at an "absolute minimum of 47 mph".From her final resting place, a forensic scientist concluded that McDonnell was driving at an "absolute minimum of 47 mph".
However, he also said that in his opinion, if Adele had not struck the parked car she would have been thrown further.However, he also said that in his opinion, if Adele had not struck the parked car she would have been thrown further.
He said that would have allowed a more accurate, and higher, calculation of the defendant's speed.He said that would have allowed a more accurate, and higher, calculation of the defendant's speed.
'Closure''Closure'
Alan Whiteside said the family was 'appalled and disgusted'
Speaking outside the court Alan Whiteside said the family was "appalled and disgusted".Speaking outside the court Alan Whiteside said the family was "appalled and disgusted".
"How can you take a life and have a sentence suspended," he said."How can you take a life and have a sentence suspended," he said.
"We were hoping today would have been some sort of closure, now it's never going to close. I wouldn't have agreed to accepting the guilty plea if I had known he was only going to get 18 months.""We were hoping today would have been some sort of closure, now it's never going to close. I wouldn't have agreed to accepting the guilty plea if I had known he was only going to get 18 months."
Adele's sister Alannah broke down as she spoke outside court.Adele's sister Alannah broke down as she spoke outside court.
"I'm an only child again. I don't have a sister, my two babies don't have an auntie," she said."I'm an only child again. I don't have a sister, my two babies don't have an auntie," she said.
"I'm never going to have a niece or a nephew because he took her away from me.""I'm never going to have a niece or a nephew because he took her away from me."
Adele, a pupil at Dunmurry High School, was knocked down as she crossed Finaghy Road South in Belfast with three friends.Adele, a pupil at Dunmurry High School, was knocked down as she crossed Finaghy Road South in Belfast with three friends.
'Life needlessly lost''Life needlessly lost'
In court on Monday Judge Miller said there appeared to be no identifiable answer, from the eye witnesses or the defendant, as to why the accident took place.In court on Monday Judge Miller said there appeared to be no identifiable answer, from the eye witnesses or the defendant, as to why the accident took place.
McDonnell admitted to driving too fast and that he failed to keep a proper lookout.McDonnell admitted to driving too fast and that he failed to keep a proper lookout.
The court heard the road was clear and well lit, and McDonnell was sober and there was no evidence that he had taken drugs.The court heard the road was clear and well lit, and McDonnell was sober and there was no evidence that he had taken drugs.
"This lack of explanation must only serve to underscore the sense of grief and of a life needlessly lost that so clearly preoccupies and distresses (her) family," said Judge Miller."This lack of explanation must only serve to underscore the sense of grief and of a life needlessly lost that so clearly preoccupies and distresses (her) family," said Judge Miller.
He said the defendants guilty plea deserved credit and concluded "not without some considerable hesitation" that this was a case where the circumstances justified a suspended sentence.He said the defendants guilty plea deserved credit and concluded "not without some considerable hesitation" that this was a case where the circumstances justified a suspended sentence.