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Driver whose car killed Mhairi Convy and Laura Stewart branded reckless | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A man whose car mounted a pavement in Glasgow killing two students has been accused of lying and being reckless for not disclosing he suffered blackouts. | |
William Payne appeared as a witness at an inquiry into the deaths of Mhairi Convy, 18, and Laura Stewart, 20, in Glasgow on 17 December 2010. | |
The 53-year-old refused to answer some questions after being advised he did not have to if it may incriminate him. | |
A previous criminal case against Mr Payne was dropped by the Crown. | A previous criminal case against Mr Payne was dropped by the Crown. |
Following this, the fatal accident inquiry was then arranged to look at the circumstances of the deaths of Ms Convy and Ms Stewart. | |
Sheriff warning | |
They were killed by Mr Payne's Range Rover on North Hanover Street in Glasgow. | |
Appearing as a witness, Mr Payne was advised that his examination did not constitute a bar to criminal proceedings. | Appearing as a witness, Mr Payne was advised that his examination did not constitute a bar to criminal proceedings. |
He was warned by Sheriff Normand that he was not required to answer any question which may show him to be guilty of a crime or offence but he did have to answer questions that did not incriminate him. | He was warned by Sheriff Normand that he was not required to answer any question which may show him to be guilty of a crime or offence but he did have to answer questions that did not incriminate him. |
During his appearance, Mr Payne faced a series of questions from Dorothy Bain - the QC representing the families of the two women - but he refused to answer many of them. | |
Ms Bain still quizzed him on the renewal of an HGV licence in July 2010 - five months before the accident. | |
The QC said the "no" box was ticked on a document asking if Mr Payne had suffered any blackouts in the last five years. | |
However, the court heard a number of claims Mr Payne had collapsed during that time - including once while taking his dog to the vet. | |
'Utterly unreliable' | |
Ms Bain accused Mr Payne of being "totally and utterly unreliable about his medical history". | |
She went on: "If you had answered 'yes' (on the document), you would not have been allowed to drive. | |
"You were reckless to the safety of other people using the streets because as we have seen today you are just looking out for number one. | |
"That should be your mantra - number one, that is what matters." | |
Mr Payne replied: "I don't want to answer that." | |
The QC also said: "Your selfishness has taken the lives of two young women. What more serious thing has happened to you. | |
"Two young women perfectly innocently going out doing their Christmas shopping. | |
"You could have prevented that by telling the truth." | |
'Sorry' claim | |
Mr Payne again replied he could not answer what was put to him. | |
The QC later referred to Mr Payne's police interview after the accident in which he claimed he was "sorry". | |
Ms Bain said to Mr Payne: "You could have been stopped driving in the July. Do you know what would have happened? | |
"You would not have to be sorry or even be here today as Mhairi Convy and Laura Stewart would be alive. | |
"The responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders." | |
He replied: "I cannot answer that question." | |
The inquiry continues. |
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