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| Gary McCourt sentenced for cyclist death crash in Edinburgh | Gary McCourt sentenced for cyclist death crash in Edinburgh |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A driver whose careless driving caused the death of a cyclist in Edinburgh has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service. | A driver whose careless driving caused the death of a cyclist in Edinburgh has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service. |
| Gary McCourt, 49, from Edinburgh, was found guilty last month of killing Audrey Fyfe, 75, in August 2011. | Gary McCourt, 49, from Edinburgh, was found guilty last month of killing Audrey Fyfe, 75, in August 2011. |
| Edinburgh Sheriff Court had heard how McCourt admitted to police he had "clipped" her back wheel at a junction. | Edinburgh Sheriff Court had heard how McCourt admitted to police he had "clipped" her back wheel at a junction. |
| McCourt had previously been found guilty in 1986 of causing another cyclist's death by reckless driving. | McCourt had previously been found guilty in 1986 of causing another cyclist's death by reckless driving. |
| He was jailed for two years after cyclist George Dalgity, 22, a student from Edinburgh, was killed while he cycled along the city's Regent Road on 18 October 1985. | |
| A spokesman for the Crown Office said it would "give careful consideration as to whether the sentence was unduly lenient". | |
| Mrs Fyfe died from her injuries two days after being injured in a collision, which took place between Portobello Road and Craigentinny Avenue on 11 August 2011. | Mrs Fyfe died from her injuries two days after being injured in a collision, which took place between Portobello Road and Craigentinny Avenue on 11 August 2011. |
| McCourt was also banned from driving for five years however, his victim's family felt he should have been banned for life. | |
| Ian Fyfe, Mrs Fyfe's widower, told BBC Scotland: "I feel with him having killed two cyclists already he shouldn't be allowed to drive for life and I don't think that is unreasonable. | |
| "How many times is he going to have to kill someone before he is banned for life? | |
| "Nothing would focus drivers' actions more than knowing that he had been given a lifetime ban." | |
| The former member of the Cyclists Touring Club, from Edinburgh, had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. | The former member of the Cyclists Touring Club, from Edinburgh, had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. |
| 'Genuine remorse' | |
| Sheriff James Scott said he felt able to spare McCourt prison because there were no aggravating factors, such as drink or drug abuse. | Sheriff James Scott said he felt able to spare McCourt prison because there were no aggravating factors, such as drink or drug abuse. |
| He said the collision between McCourt and Mrs Fyfe was caused because he had "momentarily" lost concentration. | He said the collision between McCourt and Mrs Fyfe was caused because he had "momentarily" lost concentration. |
| Sheriff Scott said: "I take into account that the accused has repeatedly expressed genuine remorse for causing the death of Mrs Fyfe. | Sheriff Scott said: "I take into account that the accused has repeatedly expressed genuine remorse for causing the death of Mrs Fyfe. |
| "I take into account that the accused has been ill and has suffered from depression and that he displays signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. | "I take into account that the accused has been ill and has suffered from depression and that he displays signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. |
| "Mrs Fyffe wasn't to blame in any way for the accident. | "Mrs Fyffe wasn't to blame in any way for the accident. |
| "However, she was not wearing a safety helmet and that in my view contributed to her death." | "However, she was not wearing a safety helmet and that in my view contributed to her death." |