A man who admitted causing the death of Motherwell schoolgirl Abbie McLaren has been jailed for five years.
Martin McGuire, 39, was driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone when he hit the 12-year-old girl - who was his cousin's daughter.
McGuire had Abbie's father in the car as a passenger at the time of the incident, on February 12 this year.
The young girl was crossing the road after getting off a bus. She was flung onto a parked car, suffering multiple injuries, and was pronounced dead in hospital that evening.
McGuire last month admitted causing Abbie's death by dangerous driving, and also driving without a licence or insurance when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.
The, the court heard that Abbie and an 11-year-old friend got off a First bus outside the U-Save shop around 4.08pm.
Both girls began to cross the road. Abbie's friend stopped halfway, but Abbie continued to cross and was struck by McGuire's car.
In the front passenger seat was Abbie's father Adam McLaren who is McGuire's cousin. Abbie lived with her mother and step-father and had no contact with her father.
The schoolgirl who was described by her family as “enjoying life to the full and very popular” suffered horrific injuries and died in hospital the next day.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice told the High Court in Glasgow that Abbie suffered multiple skull fractures, a fracture to her spine and broken ribs and pelvis.
He added: “There were also fractures through both thigh bones and her right upper arm.”
Judge Lady Scott imposed the five-year jail term and an eight-and-a-half year driving ban when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh today (Friday).
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