A 92-year-old man from Co Antrim, John Noble Lindsay, changed his plea in the case of the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl, Scarlett Rossborough, from Larne. The incident occurred last August in Carrickfergus when Lindsay’s car struck Scarlett, causing her death. Initially, Lindsay admitted to causing Scarlett’s death by careless driving but denied the charge of causing her death by dangerous driving. However, in a recent court appearance, Lindsay’s barrister requested a re-arraignment, stating that Lindsay felt unfit to go through a trial and did not want to put the family through that process. Lindsay, in a wheelchair due to his frail health, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death. Consequently, the charge of causing Scarlett’s death by careless driving was dropped.
Lindsay’s barrister mentioned that they would obtain a Pre-Sentence Report and submit additional medical reports due to Lindsay’s poor health. Lindsay expressed his desire to have the case resolved before Christmas to avoid causing additional stress to the family. The judge scheduled a plea hearing for December 5, 2024, regarding this “very tragic matter.” Lindsay was released on bail with no objections from the Crown.
Scarlett was described as a beloved pupil at Linn Primary School, known for her infectious giggles and sense of fun. The fatal collision occurred while Scarlett and other children were on a summer scheme trip organized by a community center. The school community mourned the loss of Scarlett and remembered her fondly.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences of dangerous driving. It also highlights the need for elderly drivers to regularly assess their fitness to drive and take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road. Let us all reflect on this tragedy and strive to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
