Why was the drug driver who killed Scott allowed to stay on the roads before trial?
Edward Parsons caused the death of Scott Gillies just weeks after Mr Gillies’s brother Ian was gravely injured by a drunk driver
A family have told of their relief after a drug driver who killed a cyclist was jailed for five years, but questioned why he was allowed to stay on the roads until trial.
Edward Parsons caused the death of Scott Gillies just weeks after Mr Gillies’s brother Ian was gravely injured by a drunk driver while on his bike. At the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, Parsons was sentenced to 64 months in jail.
READ MORE: Family's anguish as cyclist killed by drug driver weeks after brother seriously injured in crash
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and nine months and ordered to sit the extended test of competence to drive.
Mr Gillies family said the conclusion of the legal proceedings brought “relief” but said they were “extremely troubled” by the fact Parsons, 66, was permitted to drive during the 38 months from his arrest and charge to his trial date.
“Scott was a loved brother, father, partner, friend and colleague who has been sorely missed by us all,” Ian said.
“The sentence brings to an end a 38-month wait for justice.
“We are relieved that Mr Parsons is finally being held accountable for Scott’s death and that the shall be off the roads for a very long time.
“For Mr Parsons to continue driving while awaiting trial was extremely troubling for our family, particularly given the circumstances of this case and the failure of his drugs test.”
Parsons pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and being over the limit for cannabis early this month at the start of a four-day trial.
Scott, a signalman with Network Rail, was on the A806 Initiative Road in East Dunbartonshire when he was hit from behind by Parsons.
His family watched footage in court of his final moments, including a video from the father-of-two’s bike camera that showed Parsons had clear sight of him.
Ian added: “For a driver not to see a cyclist who was in his sight for 19 seconds is hard to comprehend.
“Many lessons can be learned from this case, one more so than focusing on the road and the surroundings when driving.
“If this driver did that, Scott would still be with us today.”
Weeks before Scott was killed on June 9, 2022, Ian was knocked from his bike by a drunk driver and left with life-changing injuries.
Mark Hugh Shields was fined £540 for the crash on May 6, 2022, and banned for driving for 12 months.