Michael Scott subjected his elderly aunt Chrissie Treacy to "verbal abuse and mental torture" before he caused her death by driving over her, a friend of Ms Treacy's has told the Central Criminal Court.
Regina Donohue gave a statement today at a sentencing hearing for Scott, who was convicted earlier this year of the manslaughter of his aunt through gross negligence when he drove over her in an agricultural teleporter outside her home. He had gone on trial accused of her murder but the jury returned a unanimous verdict, acquitting him of that charge.
Scott will spend his first night in prison tonight having been remanded in custody until Ms Justice Caroline Biggs passes sentence on June 26.
At today's hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions said that Scott's offence falls within the mid-category for manslaughter and should carry a headline sentence of four to ten years. Paul Greene SC, on behalf of Scott, said that the offence falls into the lower category. Mr Greene said the issues to be considered are the roadworthiness of the teleporter and Scott's failure to keep a proper lookout when reversing.
Counsel also pointed out that Scott has no previous convictions and that psychological and probation reports state that while he is "not in the highest rank of intelligence", Mr Scott has expressed regret and displayed an awareness of the harm he caused. Mr Greene said his client has been described as a "pariah" in his community and he asked the court to consider the impact that will have on his life.
Counsel accepted there was a "high degree" of negligence in Scott's driving but he asked the court to also consider that it was unusual for Ms Treacy to be in the yard where she was struck.
