TikTok creator jailed for killing woman by dangerous driving

A man who posed as a lawyer on TikTok has been jailed for nine years for killing a 77-year-old woman in a crash.

Leigh Sutherland, 31, was speeding in a car with defective brakes when he smashed into a Peugeot 108 driven by Margaret Allan in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.

She was badly injured and died three weeks later. A 10-year-old boy, who was her passenger, was also taken to hospital after the collision in June 2023.

Sutherland was earlier found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

When he returned to court, as well as being sentenced to nine years in prison he was banned from driving for 13-and-a-half years.

The TikTok creator is known for posting bizarre videos which often feature him pretending to be a defence lawyer or dressing up as a police officer.

Judge Tom Hughes told Sutherland: "It is incumbent to consider the catastrophic consequences your driving had on Miss Allan's family and friends.

"In their victim impact statements, they were eloquent in their terms and explain to the court the extent of their family's tragic loss and difficulties they had coming to terms with the death of their loved one.

"As a result of your actions, their lives have changed radically from what they expected to enjoy for years to come. They have suffered a catastrophic loss."

Sutherland was driving his Ford Mondeo at a minimum of 44mph in a 40mph zone around the time of the incident on the Condorrat ring road.

But the trial heard he was likely to have been going faster when he started braking.

Sutherland, of Cumbernauld, was spotted walking away from the crash, saying he needed time to clear his head.

When a passing police officer caught up with him, he swore and blamed Margaret Allan for the collision.

He also claimed his car was being driven by a Romanian man who had taken it for a test drive.

An investigation later found that the anti-lock brakes on Sutherland's 12-year-old car were not working properly and the battery was not adequately secured.

Judge Tom Hughes told Sutherland: "When asked to identify who was the driver of the vehicle, what was your position on that? You came up with a cock and bull story as well you knew.

"You took no responsibility whatsoever.

"Taking account of the whole circumstances, custody is the only appropriate sentence."

Speaking outside court, Margaret Allan's son John said that while Sutherland's jail sentence brings a measure of justice, "we recognise that no outcome can ever bring our mum back".

He added: "We hope, however, that this conclusion allows us to move forward and bring some sense of closure.

"Our mum was independent, active and the absolute heart of our family and the community.

"Her loss is immeasurable and we will continue to miss her every day."