Fine after death of mum and son
A Shrewsbury pub manager has been convicted of driving without due care and attention after the death of a pregnant mother and her seven-year-old son. A Shrewsbury pub manager has been convicted of driving without due care and attention after the death of a pregnant mother and her seven-year-old son. Christopher Ballantyne, who had denied the charge, was yesterday fined £1,000 and disqualified from driving for 12 months. Sarah Piggott, 42, her son Simon and unborn child Sullivan all died following the accident. They were struck by Ballantyne's car while crossing Robertson Way on June 26 last year, just yards from their home. Deputy district judge Tony Gascoyne, during sentencing at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court, also ordered the 35-year-old manager of the Boathouse pub to pay £1,000 costs. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
A Shrewsbury pub manager has been convicted of driving without due care and attention after the death of a pregnant mother and her seven-year-old son.
Christopher Ballantyne, who had denied the charge, was yesterday fined £1,000 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Sarah Piggott, 42, her son Simon and unborn child Sullivan all died following the accident.
They were struck by Ballantyne's car while crossing Robertson Way on June 26 last year. They were just yards from their home.
Deputy district judge Tony Gascoyne, during sentencing at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court, also ordered the 35-year-old manager of the Boathouse pub to pay £1,000 costs.
The court had heard Ballantyne had veered into the off-side lane to try and miss the pedestrians when he saw them trying to cross the road, but had hit them
Judge Gascoyne said: "It seems to me that it would be obvious to anyone watching that when Sarah and her son were on the verge they were looking to cross the road.
"I would have anticipated more action from Mr Ballantyne considering the situation."
He said by taking his foot off the brake Ballantyne's car continued in a forward motion and therefore ran over Simon and very likely Mrs Piggott.
Members of the Piggott family welcomed yesterday's verdict. A statement released on their behalf by solicitors Lanyon Bowdler said the family felt Ballantyne could have done more to avoid the tragedy.
The statement said: "Sarah was a fantastic mother, wife and friend. She was loved by family and friends and well known to many in the community.
"She was full of character and life and would make a mark on people's memories.
"Simon was a fun-loving, bubbly, sports-mad seven-year-old. He was cheerful and popular with friends from school and loved by all those around him.
"The whole family has been devastated by the events surrounding Sarah and Simon's death and would like to emphasise that it is impossible for them to put their feelings in to words. Their grief is with them every day."
