Maniac driver who killed Scots grandad after ploughing stolen Maserati into garden at 85mph jailed for 13 years

A MANIAC driver who ploughed a stolen Maserati through a garden at 85mph, killing a pensioner has been jailed for 13 years and six months. John Bell, 74, suffered “non-survivable injuries” and died after he was struck by the car and pinned against the wall of the house in Broughty Ferry near Dundee on April 13 this year. Garden also ran through a red light, drove on the wrong side of the road and overtook other vehicles into the face of oncoming traffic Credit: PA John Bell, 74, and his dog Charlie were both struck by the motor in the horrific incident Credit: Unknown Fraser Garden clipped a kerb, struck a traffic island and then ploughed through a hedge into a garden where 74-year-old John Bell was sitting Credit: Paul Reid Garden then raced the vehicle at speeds in excess of 80mph – almost three times the speed limit – before striking and killing John Bell Credit: Paul Reid Fraser Garden, 55, admitted causing Mr Bell’s death by dangerous driving at a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh last month. Garden, of no fixed abode, entered a car showroom in Broughty Ferry in the early afternoon of April 13 and brazenly stole the high-powered luxury car from the forecourt. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Garden then raced the vehicle at speeds in excess of 80mph – almost three times the speed limit – through a residential area of the town in what a judge described as an “appalling episode of driving”. Garden also ran through a red light, drove on the wrong side of the road and overtook other vehicles into the face of oncoming traffic. The 55-year-old finally lost control of the vehicle at a bend at the junction of Forthill Road and Nursery Road, less than 750m from the showroom. He clipped a kerb, struck a traffic island and then ploughed through a hedge into a garden where 74-year-old John Bell was doing some work for a neighbour. Garden also struck Mr bell’s beloved dog, Charlie. The front of the car struck the former taxi driver before pinning him against the wall of the house, leaving him with “non-survivable” injuries. Most read in The Sun Lord Baird jailed the killer for more than 13 years today and banned him from driving for more than 56 years. The judge said Garden’s offending was of the “utmost severity”. He said: “From the moment you drove away from the garage, you demonstrated wicked disregard for the lives of others. “No sentence this court can impose can possibly hope to make up for the loss Mr Bell’s family and friends have suffered.” Advocate depute Graeme Jessop KC previously told Edinburgh High Court that just 3.3 seconds before the crash Garden had been travelling at 85mph. When the car struck the house it was still doing 34mph Credit: Paul Reid The front of the car struck Mr Bell before pinning him against the wall of the house leaving him with “non-survivable” injuries. Credit: Paul Reid When the car struck the house it was still doing 34mph. He told the court that emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, where Mr Bell was found to have no sign of life, having suffered “multiple blunt force injuries”. Mr Jessop said when police arrested Garden on suspicion of causing death dangerous driving he replied “sorry”. The lawyer also told the court Garden had 90 previous convictions including “numerous” motoring offences, and that he had been under three separate disqualifications from driving on the day of the incident. Garden admitted five charges, including theft of a motor vehicle, causing death by dangerous driving, and driving without insurance. He also admitted driving while disqualified and failing to provide a blood sample for drugs testing. The court heard Mr Bell had three children, 10 adult grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The judge thanked Mr Bell’s family, some of whom were present in court, for submitting four separate victim impact statements. Garden previously attended the hearing remotely from prison dressed in a green sweater. He appeared to cover his face with his hands as the detail of his offending was read out. Th court heard on the day of the incident, Garden had seen the unlocked red Maserati car while wandering around the forecourt and showroom area of the West End Garage in Broughty Ferry. The vehicle belonged to the garage’s director, who had purchased it five years earlier for £70,000, and it was estimated to be worth £40,000 on the day of the incident. Mr Jessop said the 523 brake horsepower car could go from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds and had a top speed of 193mph. The court was shown photos taken after the crash, which showed the front of the car crumpled beyond recognition, with Mr Jessop saying it had been “irreparably damaged”. A member of Mr Bell’s family could be heard sobbing in the public gallery when the image was shown on the screen. Inspector Gordon Dickson said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr Bell’s family and friends during what is still a very difficult time. We hope this outcome will bring some form of justice after a very traumatic incident. “Fraser Garden’s actions were completely reckless and he will now face the consequences. “We remain committed to investigating all dangerous driving and will use all the tools at our disposal to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.” Comment now