Lothian Buses driver banned for causing cyclist's death
A Lothian Buses driver who caused the death of a cyclist has been banned from driving for a year and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Jill Corps, 42, crashed into cyclist Thomas McKay, 46, while she was at work.
Corps, from Southhampton, admitted driving carelessly on 11 February 2009 in the capital's Sir Harry Lauder Road and causing the death of Mr McKay.
He was taken to hospital after the crash but died the following month.
Corps was taking a mini-bus to a pre-arranged drop-off point when she struck Mr McKay, who was on his way home.
The court heard that Corps turned right into the path of Mr McKay, who was unable to avoid the collision.
Mr McKay, who worked as a taxi driver, was thrown from his bike and onto the windscreen and roof of the vehicle.
The crash was seen by a doctor who was driving behind Corps and he stopped to help Mr McKay, from Edinburgh.
Defence agent Graeme Runcie said: "She has asked me to say in public how sorry she is for the whole matter and I would like to believe the family accept that apology on her behalf."
Mr Runcie said Corps was suitable for an alternative sentence to custody as she was of previous good character and had no previous convictions.
Sheriff Isabella McColl said: "Cases of this nature are unusual and very difficult. It is a tragedy whichever way you look at it, a man has lost his life."
However, she said culpability was at "the lower end of the scale", adding: "Corps had a momentary lapse of judgement."
Sheriff McColl said in the circumstances she was prepared to deal with the case by community service as an alternative to custody.
A Lothian Buses spokeswoman said it was unable to comment because Corps no longer worked for the company.