A CALLOUS TikTok star who often posed as a road traffic lawyer in bizarre social media clips has been convicted of killing a pensioner in a horror crash.
Leigh Sutherland, who goes by Lee Sutherland on TikTok, was speeding in an aging Ford Mondeo with dodgy brakes at the time of the crash at the Condorrat Ring Road near Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire on June 15, 2023.
Copyright: Andrew CawleyLeigh Sutherland, who goes by Lee Sutherland on TikTok, has been found guilty of killing an OAP in a crash[/caption]
The 31 year-old ploughed into a Peugeot 108 driven by Margaret Allan
The 31 year-old ploughed into a Peugeot 108 driven by Margaret Allan.
The 77-year-old mother later tragically passed away from her injuries. A 10-year-old boy who was also in the car needed hospital treatment.
Remorseless Sutherland tried to blame the OAP stating at the scene: “It would not have happened if the f***ing bitch had not pulled out.”
Sutherland was well-known on TikTok for posting a series of bizarre videos claiming to be a defence lawyer, dressing-up as a police officer and others including him reviewing supermarket food.
But, he is now behind bars after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Sutherland will be sentenced at a later date.
PC Lawrence Meldrum told jurors how he had been in the area that afternoon when he became aware of a collision in his rear view mirror.
He drove back and initially found the Peugeot “extremely damaged”.
The officer said the elderly female driver had blood on her head. She was “confused and dazed”. The child was in the passenger seat.
Sutherland was spotted walking away from the crash. He claimed he needed time to clear his head.
But, PC Meldrum caught up with him – it was soon after he made the comment about Margaret apparently being at fault.
He also repeatedly called the officer “a f***ing idiot”.
Margaret never recovered and passed away weeks later.
During a probe into the crash, it was discovered the anti-lock braking system in the 12 year-old Mondeo was not working properly.
The battery for the vehicle was also said not to be secured.
Sutherland had been going at a minimum 44mph in the 40mph zone around the time of the collision, but was likely to have been quicker at the point he started braking.
Callous Sutherland tried to blame the OAP at the scene
He was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at the High Court in GlasgowNot known, clear with picture desk
Other motorists in the area that day had also commented at how fast he had been going.
In his speech to jurors, prosecutor Adrian Stalker said Sutherland’s driving had been dangerous and was “not just a lack of judgement or momentary inattention”.
He added Sutherland was “going far too fast” in what was described as a “defective” car.
Sutherland, of Cumbernauld, but who had latterly been living in Newcastle, had been on bail during the trial.
But, he was remanded in custody by Judge Tom Hughes as sentencing was adjourned for reports.
He had been banned from driving for six months just one week before the collision and tried to leave the scene without giving his details to police officers.
Sergeant Andy Coutts, North Lanarkshire Roads Policing said: “Our thoughts remain with Margaret’s family, who have been dignified and strong throughout this tragic ordeal.
“Sutherland’s actions showed a blatant disregard for other road users and the law, and since the incident he has showed no remorse.
“We hope the court’s decision brings some peace to the family.”
GettySutherland was remanded in custody after the trial at the High Court in Glasgow[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
