The mother of a toddler who died in a horror crash in the Highlands has hit out at the “shocking” sentence handed to the woman responsible, after she walked free from court.
Sonya Henderson, 42, was at the wheel when she hit the vehicle containing passengers Ashlyne Mackay and her two-year-old son Iain.
The tot was asleep in the back seat while his mother was in the front as they returned from visiting a playpark in August 2021. Henderson had veered into the middle of the road on a bend moments before the smash on the A99 between Latheron and Wick.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, raced to the scene and Iain was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. He was later moved to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary so his mum could be with him to say goodbye to her son as his life support was withdrawn.
Tributes have since poured in for the youngster, who was described as “funny” and “bubbly”, with a “cheeky smile”.
Henderson, of Lybster, appeared at Wick Sheriff Court and admitted causing death by careless driving. Sheriff Neil Wilson handed her 200 hours of unpaid work and a 25-month driving ban.
Devastated Ashlyne has blasted the sentence and labelled it ‘shocking’. She said: “I am deeply saddened by the outcome of Sonya Henderson’s sentencing hearing. It is shocking to me that she has escaped a custodial sentence for killing my son Iain.
“She has never apologised to me for what she did and it has taken her years to stop blaming others and admit her guilt. The hearing and its aftermath has brought everything back to me as if it was only yesterday I lost Iain.”
Her statement issued through law firm Digby Brown, added: “This is another incredibly difficult time. I am so grateful for the public sympathy for me, and again for the support of my family. They mean the world to me.”
The court heard the force of the crash resulted in the rear of Henderson’s Nissan Qashqai being raised off the ground then rotating 180 degrees anti-clockwise and coming to rest in the northbound lane.
A householder ran from his house after hearing ‘a bang’ and contacted the emergency services. The man recalled asking Henderson what had happened and she replied: “I swerved… are they all right?”
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Ashlyne was trapped by her legs and was freed by firefighters who removed the vehicle’s front door and roof. She suffered multiple orthopaedic injuries.
Sheriff Wilson said he was bound by sentencing guidelines when dealing with the case. He told Henderson: “This is an extremely serious matter. The court has had the benefit of victim impact statements. The ongoing effects of your actions on the deceased’s family are clear from these statements.
“I can do no more than add the court’s condolences for what can only be properly described as unimaginable grief.
“I must balance these factors against your lack of previous convictions of any sort and that you have a clean driving licence.”
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