A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis has
been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was cycling to
work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit for
driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his Mercedes
flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
A jury at the High Court in the city heard how Toshack failed to pay attention on the A772 Gilmerton Road at its junction with Kingston Avenue
and Mount Vernon Road.
He failed to see the father-of-two, who had volunteered to work in
intensive care during the pandemic, biking his way to work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Mr Harrison was in the opposite lane and was heard to shout ‘whoa whoa whoa’ moments before Toshack turned right and struck him. Toshack’s vehicle then drove over Mr Harrison, who died later in the day at his workplace.
Police later discovered that Toshack had 5.1 micorgrammes of cannabis per litre of blood - the legal limit is two microgrammes.
Toshack stood trial on a charge of causing Mr Harrison’s death by
dangerous driving. But on Friday afternoon, jurors found Toshack guilty
of an alternative charge of causing Mr Harrison’s death by driving
without ‘due care and attention’.
They also found him guilty of driving whilst over the legal limit for cannabis.
Following the jury’s verdict, prosecutor David Dickson submitted a victim impact statement to the court from Mr Harrison’s wife and two children.
The document detailed the impact that Mr Harrison’s death has had on his loved ones.
Mr Dickson told judge Lord Sandison: “James Harrison was 36 years old at the time of his death. He was a nurse who was working in intensive care
at Edinburgh Royal Infimary and at the time of his death was on his way to work.”
Lord Sandison deferred sentence for the court to obtain a report about Toshack’s background and he refused a request from defence solicitor advocate Jim Keegan KC to continue his client’s bail.
Lord Sandison told Toshack: “This is a very serious offence. It goes without saying that I’m going to call for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.
“I have listened to what Mr Keegan has said but given the gravity of the offence and the likelihood of a custodial sentence, I am going to remand you meantime.”
Lord Sandison also disqualified Toshack from driving. He will be
sentenced later this year at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The verdicts came at the end of a four-day trial. Giving evidence,
Toshack admitted to smoking cannabis the night before the collision. He
said he was a father of two who had been taking the drug for the past 30 years.
He said he hadn’t seen Mr Harrison in the moments leading up to the collision.
Describing the moments following the collision, Toshack added: “I was completely bewildered. I pulled over at a safe space. I got out to see
what had happened. I saw a cyclist lying on the road. I was in a bit of shock. I phoned an ambulance straight away.”
Mr Harrison was a lead research nurse in cardiology at NHS Lothian and volunteered in an intensive care unit to support the Covid-19 response.
He was also an official for Scottish Athletics and an athlete and team manager at Corstorphine AAC.
https://www.centralfifetimes.com/news/23778315.kelty-truck-driver-jailed-causing-death-cyclist/
A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis has been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was cycling to work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit for driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his Mercedes flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
QUOTE: Lord Sandison deferred sentence for the court to obtain a report about Toshack’s background and he refused a request from defence solicitor advocate Jim Keegan KC to continue his client’s bail. ENDS
I should bloody well think so! He needs to get used to being in jail.
QUOTE: . I got out to see what had happened. I saw a cyclist lying on the road. ENDS
You told the court earlier on that:
"He said he hadn’t seen Mr Harrison in the moments leading up to the collision. "
WHICH IS IT?
WAS HE VISIBLE OR NOT?
QUOTE: . I got out to see what had happened. I saw a cyclist lying on the road. ENDS
You told the court earlier on that:
"He said he hadn’t seen Mr Harrison in the moments leading up to the collision. "
WHICH IS IT?
WAS HE VISIBLE OR NOT?
On Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 7:49:33 AM UTC+1, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
QUOTE: . I got out to see what had happened. I saw a cyclist lying on the road. ENDS
You told the court earlier on that:
"He said he hadn’t seen Mr Harrison in the moments leading up to the collision. "
WHICH IS IT?
WAS HE VISIBLE OR NOT?
"The invisible cyclist was wearing dark green trousers, a dark blue
jacket, dark red socks, dark brown shoes, a dark grey hat and he had Sennheiser earpieces in, but I was blinded by the low Sun".
On 09/09/2023 18:33, JNugent wrote:
On 09/09/2023 04:37 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis has
been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was cycling to
work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit for
driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his Mercedes
flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
I have asked this before but never had a coherent response.
Cannabis is an ILLEGAL drug. It's a crime to supply, possess or use it.
It is a controlled drug. In some circumstances it is an offence to
produce, supply or posess it. I can't see a definition of 'use it'.
People who indulge in it are criminals.
How can there possibly be a "legal limit" for an illegal substance?
It may be possible to be 'under the influence' of cannabis, without
having supplied it, possessed it, 'used' it or 'indulged' in it. Presumably the police want to be able to drive with small quantities of of controlled drugs in their bloodstream, owing to completely legal activities.
On 09/09/2023 04:37 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis has
been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was cycling to
work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit for
driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his Mercedes
flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
I have asked this before but never had a coherent response.
Cannabis is an ILLEGAL drug. It's a crime to supply, possess or use it.
People who indulge in it are criminals.
How can there possibly be a "legal limit" for an illegal substance?
A TOTAL of 61 drivers were arrested in a week for drink and/or drug
driving by Avon and Somerset Police as part of a national policing
operation to cut fatal and serious road traffic collisions (RTCs).
The figure for August 21 to 27 was 20 per cent up on the same week last
year, despite police warnings there is no safe way to drive under the influence.
Drink driving accounted for 40 of the offences, drug driving 21.
Patrols were carried out by roads policing, neighbourhood officers and special constables, while the public phoned or went online to report offenders.
One incident included reports of a van being driven erratically on the
M5. When stopped, the driver, who appeared to be on his mobile phone,
failed a breathalyser test.
A 12-week-old cocker spaniel puppy in the vehicle was taken into the care
of a vet overnight while his owner was in custody.
The week-long operation resulted in several other road related and
criminal offences being detected, including speeding, driving without a licence or insurance, illegal drugs possession and going equipped to steal.
In 2021, a third of RTCs in Avon and Somerset had a drink and/or drug
factor and involved 12 deaths.
Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, head of road policing and road safety,
said: "In a single week, 61 drivers have been taken off the road before
they could cause harm through drink or drug driving.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal, it’s a reckless and dangerous choice that puts lives at risk.
"The consequences of such decisions can be catastrophic, causing
irreversible harm and heartache to families and loved ones.
“As we head into the autumn, we are not easing up on our campaign against drink or drug drivers – keeping our roads safe is our priority every day of the year.
“I am grateful for the support of the general public who are helping us
to target offenders by sharing information when they suspect drink or
drug driving is happening."
Drivers caught over the limit risk up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and substantial driving ban.
Causing death by careless driving while under the influence carries a
maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
During the week-long operation, drivers in the 35-44 age group accounted
for 20 arrests; 25-34-year-olds 19; and under-25s 15 arrests; 83 per cent
of those arrested were male.
Report drink/drug drivers at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report or call
101 or 999 if someone is currently driving under the influence. Reports
can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/23777960.61-arrests-week-long-drink-drug-driving-operation/
Not quite sure where the cyclist was involved in this incident.
swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
A Milford roofer has been ordered off the roads after driving over Hakin
Bridge when he was more than four times over the specified drug-drive limit.
s://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/23778758.milford-roofer-admits-drug-driving-hakin-bridge/
A Milford roofer has been ordered off the roads after driving over Hakin Bridge when he was more than four times over the specified drug-drive limit.
A TOTAL of 61 drivers were arrested in a week for drink and/or drug driving by Avon and Somerset Police as part of a national policing operation to cut fatal and serious road traffic collisions (RTCs).
The figure for August 21 to 27 was 20 per cent up on the same week last year, despite police warnings there is no safe way to drive under the influence.
Drink driving accounted for 40 of the offences, drug driving 21.
Patrols were carried out by roads policing, neighbourhood officers and special constables, while the public phoned or went online to report offenders.
One incident included reports of a van being driven erratically on the M5. When stopped, the driver, who appeared to be on his mobile phone, failed a breathalyser test.
A 12-week-old cocker spaniel puppy in the vehicle was taken into the care of a vet overnight while his owner was in custody.
The week-long operation resulted in several other road related and criminal offences being detected, including speeding, driving without a licence or insurance, illegal drugs possession and going equipped to steal.
In 2021, a third of RTCs in Avon and Somerset had a drink and/or drug factor and involved 12 deaths.
Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, head of road policing and road safety, said: "In a single week, 61 drivers have been taken off the road before they could cause harm through drink or drug driving.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only illegal, it’s a reckless and dangerous choice that puts lives at risk.
"The consequences of such decisions can be catastrophic, causing irreversible harm and heartache to families and loved ones.
“As we head into the autumn, we are not easing up on our campaign against drink or drug drivers – keeping our roads safe is our priority every day of the year.
“I am grateful for the support of the general public who are helping us to target offenders by sharing information when they suspect drink or drug driving is happening."
Drivers caught over the limit risk up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and substantial driving ban.
Causing death by careless driving while under the influence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
During the week-long operation, drivers in the 35-44 age group accounted for 20 arrests; 25-34-year-olds 19; and under-25s 15 arrests; 83 per cent of those arrested were male.
Report drink/drug drivers at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report or call 101 or 999 if someone is currently driving under the influence. Reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/23777960.61-arrests-week-long-drink-drug-driving-operation/
A Milford roofer has been ordered off the roads after driving over Hakin Bridge when he was more than four times over the specified drug-drive limit.
Leon Hackett was stopped by police officers as he drove his Honda Civic across the bridge on March 30.
A roadside breath test proved positive and Hackett was conveyed to the police custody suite where blood tests gave the lowest reading of 9.8mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The specified legal limit is 2.
“When officers spoke to him, he told them that he hadn’t used cannabis for a long time,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan informed Haverfordwest magistrates earlier this week.
“But he then told went on to tell them that he’d used it two days previously.”
Hacket, 24, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston pleaded guilty to the charge of drug-driving. He was legally represented in court by Mr David James.
“This is a young man of effectively clean character who was stopped driving when he was in a queue of traffic along Hakin Bridge,” he said.
Mr James went on to say that Hackett is employed as a roofer although he hasn’t worked since August.
“The company he works for is currently on a contract in Scotland, and my client was unable to accept that,” he said.
“As a result, he hasn’t worked since August.”
After considering the facts, magistrates disqualified Hackett from driving for 12 months.
He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 surcharge.
https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/23778758.milford-roofer-admits-drug-driving-hakin-bridge/
Not quite sure where the cyclist was involved in this incident.
swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
A Milford roofer has been ordered off the roads after driving over Hakin >> Bridge when he was more than four times over the specified drug-drive limit.
s://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/23778758.milford-roofer-admits-drug-driving-hakin-bridge/
A man has died after he was hit by a car driven by a man suspected of taking drugs.
Road closures are in place around Harrow Road, a short distance to Maida Hill, following a crash in which a pedestrian was hit this morning
(September 10) at 3.50am.
Officers were called near to Royal Oak station and a man, in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man’s family have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers, the Metropolitan Police said.
The car, a Blue Mercedes C300, stopped at the scene.
Recommended by
Police say the driver, a man in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of
causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.
Harrow Road eastbound remains closed between Bourne Terrace and
Westbourne Terrace Road, with a large section of road taped off by police beside Westbourne Green, underneath the A40 Westway flyover.
Both the 18 and 36 bus routes are being diverted from the scene.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage is asked to call police on
101, quoting CAD 1453/10SEP23, or message @MetCC via X, formerly known as Twitter.
On 09/09/2023 18:33, JNugent wrote:
On 09/09/2023 04:37 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis
has been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was
cycling to work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit for
driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his Mercedes
flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
I have asked this before but never had a coherent response.
Cannabis is an ILLEGAL drug. It's a crime to supply, possess or use it.
It is a controlled drug. In some circumstances it is an offence to produce, supply or posess it. I can't see a definition of 'use it'.
People who indulge in it are criminals.
How can there possibly be a "legal limit" for an illegal substance?
It may be possible to be 'under the influence' of cannabis, without
having supplied it, possessed it, 'used' it or 'indulged' in it.
Presumably the police want to be able to drive with small quantities of
of controlled drugs in their bloodstream, owing to completely legal activities.
A man has been arrested after allegedly crashing into three other vehicles in a series of collisions on the M40. Police were called to the scene earlier today (Sunday, September 10).call 101.
Officers identified a suspect at Warwick Services where he is alleged to have spat at an officer who asked him to provide a drug swipe, said Warwickshire Police. He was detained at around 8.35am.
Police have now confirmed that the 44-year-old man, from Birmingham, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, assaulting an emergency worker and driving under the influence of drugs. Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to
A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: “Officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact police by going to www.warwickshire.police.uk/report or call 101. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously tothe independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/drug-driving-suspect-arrested-after-27688787
https://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/news/999/in-a-single-week-61-drivers-were-taken-off-the-road-due-to-drink-or-drug-driving-says-as-police-637805
A drink and drug driver who killed a girl in a car crash just hours after meeting her in a nightclub has had his sentence increased after it was found to be "unduly lenient".
Keilan Roberts admitted four offences relating to the death of Chloe Hayman, 17, who was a passenger in his car when it crashed in the early hours of 24 July 2022.
Roberts, now 22, had consumed alcohol, cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy before getting behind the wheel of his Skoda Octavia following a night out in Pontypridd, South Wales.
He was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court for three years and nine months and banned from driving for 10 years in June.
However, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) challenged the sentence as being "insufficient" and "unduly lenient" at a Court of Appeal hearing in London on Thursday.
Lord Justice Popplewell, sitting with Mr Justice Lavender and Mr Justice Bryan, ruled on Friday that there had been an "error" in the sentencing judge's approach and increased the total sentence to five years and three months.
The period of disqualification from driving was also increased to 12 years and seven-and-a-half months.
Roberts, of Rhymney, South Wales, had not met Chloe before the evening of the crash and offered to take her to her home in Tonypandy after arguing with his girlfriend, Cardiff Crown Court had earlier been told.
The driver lost control of his car in the village of Fochriw before colliding with protective railings on a cattle grid.
The railings "pierced the windscreen" of the car and left Chloe with fatal chest injuries.
She died at the scene.
Roberts later pleaded guilty to four counts of causing death by careless driving while under the influence, with each charge reflecting the substances he had taken.
https://news.sky.com/story/drug-driver-who-killed-teenage-girl-in-crash-has-unduly-lenient-sentence-increased-12957448
swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
https://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/news/999/in-a-single-week-61-drivers-were-taken-off-the-road-due-to-drink-or-drug-driving-says-as-police-637805
Article based on the same police statement was posted by Mason yesterday at 13:10.
On 10/09/2023 12:20 pm, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 09/09/2023 18:33, JNugent wrote:
On 09/09/2023 04:37 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis has >>>> been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was cycling to >>>> work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic.
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit for
driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his Mercedes
flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
I have asked this before but never had a coherent response.
Cannabis is an ILLEGAL drug. It's a crime to supply, possess or use it.
It is a controlled drug. In some circumstances it is an offence to
produce, supply or posess it. I can't see a definition of 'use it'.
People who indulge in it are criminals.
How can there possibly be a "legal limit" for an illegal substance?
It may be possible to be 'under the influence' of cannabis, without
having supplied it, possessed it, 'used' it or 'indulged' in it.
How?
"Big boys forced me to smoke the Cannabis"?
Come off it.
Presumably the police want to be able to drive with small quantities of
of controlled drugs in their bloodstream, owing to completely legal
activities.
Don't be silly. Police officers are no more allowed to ingest illegal drugs than a chav on a bike is.
On 10/09/2023 23:27, JNugent wrote:
On 10/09/2023 12:20 pm, Nick Finnigan wrote:
On 09/09/2023 18:33, JNugent wrote:
On 09/09/2023 04:37 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:It is a controlled drug. In some circumstances it is an offence to
A Kelty motorist who drove while under the influence of cannabis
has been jailed for causing the death of a heroic nurse who was
cycling to work in an intensive care unit during the Covid pandemic. >>>>>
Douglas Toshack, 51, was more than two times over the legal limit
for driving with cannabis when he struck James Harrison with his
Mercedes flatbed truck in Edinburgh on June 25, 2020.
I have asked this before but never had a coherent response.
Cannabis is an ILLEGAL drug. It's a crime to supply, possess or use it. >>>
produce, supply or posess it. I can't see a definition of 'use it'.
People who indulge in it are criminals.
How can there possibly be a "legal limit" for an illegal substance?
It may be possible to be 'under the influence' of cannabis, without
having supplied it, possessed it, 'used' it or 'indulged' in it.
How?
e.g By being in a public service vehicle which contains cannabis
smoke, with the doors and windows locked. Or by searching a private
vehicle which contains cannbais smoke, to decide whether the offence is 'possession' or 'supply'.
"Big boys forced me to smoke the Cannabis"?
Come off it.
Presumably the police want to be able to drive with small quantities
of of controlled drugs in their bloodstream, owing to completely
legal activities.
Don't be silly. Police officers are no more allowed to ingest illegal
drugs than a chav on a bike is.
Which part of which law would be broken by 'ingesting' anything?
Which part of which law would be broken by 'ingesting' anything?
On Monday, September 11, 2023 at 10:30:57 PM UTC+1, Nick Finnigan wrote:
Which part of which law would be broken by 'ingesting' anything?
Drink driving?
QUOTE: The verdicts came at the end of a four-day trial. Giving evidence, Toshack admitted to smoking cannabis the night before the collision. He
said he was a father of two who had been taking the drug for the past 30 years. ENDS
30 years? What's left of his brain must be a shrivelled mass of rancid jelly by now!
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