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| Child's hit-and-run killer jailed | Child's hit-and-run killer jailed |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A driver who killed a four-year-old girl and seriously injured her mother in a hit-and-run crash has been sentenced to 13 years in jail. | |
| Olivia Donachie died at the crash scene near her Edinburgh home on 30 May. | Olivia Donachie died at the crash scene near her Edinburgh home on 30 May. |
| Daniel Jackson, 31, earlier pleaded guilty at Edinburgh High Court after being charged with culpable homicide and failing to stop at an accident. | Daniel Jackson, 31, earlier pleaded guilty at Edinburgh High Court after being charged with culpable homicide and failing to stop at an accident. |
| Jackson was high on valium and heroin when he drove the vehicle, the court heard. | |
| Olivia's father, Paul Donachie, said he hoped the sentence would deter other "reckless" drivers. | |
| Olivia's mother Rachel was critically injured and had to have a leg amputated after the crash. | Olivia's mother Rachel was critically injured and had to have a leg amputated after the crash. |
| READ THE JUDGE'S COMMENTS HMA v Daniel Jackson [77KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| Mrs Donachie and Olivia, who attended nursery at Bonaly Primary School, were struck just yards from their home in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. | Mrs Donachie and Olivia, who attended nursery at Bonaly Primary School, were struck just yards from their home in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. |
| Mr Donachie said: "I would like to thank Lothian and Borders Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for their professionalism and compassion during what has been a very stressful time for our family. | Mr Donachie said: "I would like to thank Lothian and Borders Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for their professionalism and compassion during what has been a very stressful time for our family. |
| "We are also very grateful to relatives, friends, medical staff and the local community for their continuing kindness and support. | "We are also very grateful to relatives, friends, medical staff and the local community for their continuing kindness and support. |
| "I can only hope that this sentence helps deter other drivers who may otherwise choose to drive in such a reckless way, or while under the influence of illegal drugs." | "I can only hope that this sentence helps deter other drivers who may otherwise choose to drive in such a reckless way, or while under the influence of illegal drugs." |
| Passing sentence, Judge Lord Menzies asked Jackson: "What possessed you to do the awful things which you did on 30 May, 2007? | |
| Daniel Jackson had earlier pleaded guilty to culpable homicide | |
| "You drove your Jeep in a furious, dangerous and wholly irresponsible manner without any thought or consideration for the safety of pedestrians or other road users. | |
| "It's little wonder that several onlookers described you as driving as if you were being chased by the police and that you were driving like a maniac. | |
| "You were driving like a maniac." | |
| The judge told the accused: "Little Olivia was just four years old and had been collected from nursery by her mother, Rachel. They were on their way home with Olivia's brother. | |
| "They were where they should have been safe - on the pavement." | |
| 'Criminally reckless' | |
| He added: "You killed little Olivia instantly, crushing her between the Jeep and a wall, and you caused terrible injuries to her mother, resulting in the amputation of her left leg. | |
| "The hearts of all right-thinking members of society must surely go out to the Donachie family." | |
| Insp John Beresford said: "I am pleased with the sentence that has been handed out to Daniel Jackson. | Insp John Beresford said: "I am pleased with the sentence that has been handed out to Daniel Jackson. |
| "I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who were involved in what was an extremely difficult and harrowing inquiry, which should never be considered as merely a road traffic accident. | "I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who were involved in what was an extremely difficult and harrowing inquiry, which should never be considered as merely a road traffic accident. |
| "Daniel Jackson's actions were both criminally reckless and showed a total disregard for the safety of the public." | "Daniel Jackson's actions were both criminally reckless and showed a total disregard for the safety of the public." |