An ambulance driver who killed a mobility scooter user in a crash has avoided a jail term after a judge described him as an 'exceptional individual'. Adrian Hesford, 64, died when he was knocked from his scooter in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, on 10 August 2018.
Angus McCulloch, 23, admitted causing death by careless driving. At Oxford Crown Court, Judge Ian Pringle sentenced him to 180 hours of unpaid work, saying he was taking an 'exceptional course'. The court heard McCulloch was responding to a high priority incident when the ambulance struck Mr Hesford on Stratton Way, travelling at between 34 and 36 mph.
In a statement, Mr Hesford's family said they did not blame McCulloch for the 'terrible accident'. McCulloch also received 10 penalty points on his driving licence. Judge Pringle said he considered character references and the family's statement in his sentencing, telling McCulloch: 'I know this incident will live with you for the rest of your life but I have taken this exceptional course because I believe you are an exceptional individual.'
McCulloch, an associate ambulance practitioner with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), had long aspired to join the service. SCAS said it would review the outcome and that McCulloch would remain on non-driving duties pending internal processes. The service added: 'This has been a very difficult situation for everyone involved and we are thankful for the compassion shown to our member of staff.'
Defence lawyer Nicholas Smith said McCulloch was 'so sorry to have done the opposite of what he is trained to do and effectively what he dedicated his teenage and adult life to, saving lives.'
