Police officer who killed mother after he struck her while speeding in his patrol van avoids jail
A police officer who killed a mother after he struck her while speeding in his patrol van has been ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work.
PC Jamie Hamill, 32, fatally injured Margaret McCarron in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
He had been driving a marked Ford Transit when he hit her in September 2021.
Prosecutors said he was driving at 39mph in a 30mph zone when he struck Mrs McCarron, 58, as she crossed a street.
Mrs McCarron, who had three children and six grandchildren, was taken to University Hospital Wishaw but died a short time after arriving.
Hamill, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted causing death by careless driving.
Sheriff Louise Gallacher imposed unpaid work and disqualified Hamill from driving for 21 months.
The court heard Hamill and a colleague were on patrol when they saw a car they believed had no valid insurance.
PC Jamie Hamill (pictured) knocked Margaret McCarron down in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, in September 2021
Mrs McCarron, who had three children and six grandchildren, was taken to University Hospital Wishaw but died a short time after arriving
They lost sight of the car but after checking the registration decided to visit the owner in Bellshill and question them.
While driving in Motherwell without blue lights they struck Mrs McCarron around 8.15pm.
A post-mortem examination recorded her cause of death as severe chest and neck injuries.
Prosecutors said Hamill had been ‘visibly upset’ and recorded negative test results for alcohol and drugs.
Murdo MacLeod, KC, defending, said Hamill had shown ‘genuine remorse’ over the incident.
Sheriff Gallacher told Hamill: ‘It is evident from the victim impact statements that the death of Mrs McCarron has left a huge void. She was a carer who dedicated her life to her family and caring for others.’
Hamill was told the amount of unpaid work had been reduced from 300 hours because of his guilty plea.
But a McCarron family statement said: ‘That officer could have admitted his guilt far earlier.’
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: ‘The matter will now be considered by the Professional Standards Department for misconduct proceedings.’
