A woman from Perthshire has been found guilty of driving under the influence of cannabis, an admission that follows her involvement in a tragic road incident on a rural route near Muthill last year. The collision resulted in the devastating loss of a father and his pregnant daughter.
Fiona Clark, a resident of Blackford, appeared before Perth Sheriff Court where she conceded to a charge of having cannabis in her system at the time of the crash. This incident, which unfolded on the A823 in June of the previous year, involved her Subaru XV and a silver Suzuki driven by 40-year-old Stephen Tooth.
The impact of the collision was catastrophic, leading to the immediate deaths of Mr. Tooth and his 18-year-old daughter, Emily May Tooth, at the scene. This double fatality sent shockwaves through the local communities connected to those involved.
During the court proceedings, it was distinctly clarified that while Ms. Clark admitted to the drug-driving offence, she was not deemed responsible for the cause of the collision itself. Prosecutors stated that the Suzuki, driven by Mr. Tooth, appeared to lose control as it navigated a sharp left-hand bend, leaving insufficient time and distance for Ms. Clark to avert the impact. She faced no charges related to dangerous or careless driving. The Investigation and Legal Process
The incident on that fateful June morning saw emergency services rush to the A983, a vital artery through Perthshire, which was subsequently closed for an extended period. During initial questioning, Ms. Clark identified herself as the driver of the Subaru. A standard roadside breathalyzer test for alcohol returned a negative result. However, a subsequent drug wipe for cannabis indicated a positive reading, leading to her arrest.
Further analysis of a blood sample taken at Ninewells Hospital, where Ms. Clark received treatment for her injuries, confirmed the presence of 3.2 micrograms of Delta-9-THC, a cannabis metabolite, per litre of blood. This level exceeded the legal limit in Scotland, which stands at 2 micrograms.
Representing Ms. Clark, defence solicitor David Holmes extended his client’s profound condolences to the families and friends mourning the loss of Stephen and Emily Tooth. He highlighted that the detected drug level did not necessarily imply impairment at the time of the incident, and crucially, reiterated the collision investigator’s findings that the deceased’s vehicle had lost control, presenting sideways to Ms. Clark’s car.
Mr. Holmes also informed the court that Ms. Clark had reportedly used cannabis as a coping mechanism following a prior personal trauma. She has been unable to work since the tragic event.
Sheriff Alison McKay presided over the case at Perth Sheriff Court, acknowledging the immense grief and suffering caused by the incident. She underscored that the court’s focus was specifically on the drug-driving charge, which was “technically unrelated to the circumstances in which the accused came to the attention of the police.”
Considering all factors, Sheriff McKay imposed a fine of £600 on Fiona Clark and disqualified her from driving for a period of 14 months. Community Impact and Family Remembrance
The lives cut short belonged to Stephen Tooth, originally from Larbert, who had made his home in Gilmerton, a village near Crieff in the heart of Perthshire. Stephen was a professional in audio-visual production, contributing his expertise to Catalyst, a company based in Bridge of Earn.
His daughter, Emily May Tooth, split her time between Carronshore and Tullibody. She was an alumna of Clackmannan and Banchory Primaries, and Lornshill Academy, and had embarked on a photography course at Forth Valley College in Stirling. It was there that she met Callum Stewart, with whom she planned to establish a home in the Falkirk area. The couple was eagerly anticipating the arrival of their child later that year.
The fatal journey occurred as Stephen was driving Emily from Gilmerton back to Tullibody, a routine trip that tragically ended on the A823. Stephen’s parents, in a statement released at the time, expressed their profound shock and highlighted the unity brought forth among the grieving families. Their primary solace lay in the knowledge that their son and granddaughter were now beyond pain and suffering. They also spoke with pride about the positive impact Stephen and Emily had made on others, and the privilege they felt to have had them in their lives.
This case serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of adhering to all road safety regulations, including strict adherence to drug-driving laws, to prevent further heartache in our community.
Fiona Clark, a resident of Blackford, appeared before Perth Sheriff Court where she conceded to a charge of having cannabis in her system at the time of the crash. This incident, which unfolded on the A823 in June of the previous year, involved her Subaru XV and a silver Suzuki driven by 40-year-old Stephen Tooth.
The impact of the collision was catastrophic, leading to the immediate deaths of Mr. Tooth and his 18-year-old daughter, Emily May Tooth, at the scene. This double fatality sent shockwaves through the local communities connected to those involved.
During the court proceedings, it was distinctly clarified that while Ms. Clark admitted to the drug-driving offence, she was not deemed responsible for the cause of the collision itself. Prosecutors stated that the Suzuki, driven by Mr. Tooth, appeared to lose control as it navigated a sharp left-hand bend, leaving insufficient time and distance for Ms. Clark to avert the impact. She faced no charges related to dangerous or careless driving. The Investigation and Legal Process
The incident on that fateful June morning saw emergency services rush to the A983, a vital artery through Perthshire, which was subsequently closed for an extended period. During initial questioning, Ms. Clark identified herself as the driver of the Subaru. A standard roadside breathalyzer test for alcohol returned a negative result. However, a subsequent drug wipe for cannabis indicated a positive reading, leading to her arrest.
Further analysis of a blood sample taken at Ninewells Hospital, where Ms. Clark received treatment for her injuries, confirmed the presence of 3.2 micrograms of Delta-9-THC, a cannabis metabolite, per litre of blood. This level exceeded the legal limit in Scotland, which stands at 2 micrograms.
Representing Ms. Clark, defence solicitor David Holmes extended his client’s profound condolences to the families and friends mourning the loss of Stephen and Emily Tooth. He highlighted that the detected drug level did not necessarily imply impairment at the time of the incident, and crucially, reiterated the collision investigator’s findings that the deceased’s vehicle had lost control, presenting sideways to Ms. Clark’s car.
Mr. Holmes also informed the court that Ms. Clark had reportedly used cannabis as a coping mechanism following a prior personal trauma. She has been unable to work since the tragic event.
Sheriff Alison McKay presided over the case at Perth Sheriff Court, acknowledging the immense grief and suffering caused by the incident. She underscored that the court’s focus was specifically on the drug-driving charge, which was “technically unrelated to the circumstances in which the accused came to the attention of the police.”
Considering all factors, Sheriff McKay imposed a fine of £600 on Fiona Clark and disqualified her from driving for a period of 14 months. Community Impact and Family Remembrance
The lives cut short belonged to Stephen Tooth, originally from Larbert, who had made his home in Gilmerton, a village near Crieff in the heart of Perthshire. Stephen was a professional in audio-visual production, contributing his expertise to Catalyst, a company based in Bridge of Earn.
His daughter, Emily May Tooth, split her time between Carronshore and Tullibody. She was an alumna of Clackmannan and Banchory Primaries, and Lornshill Academy, and had embarked on a photography course at Forth Valley College in Stirling. It was there that she met Callum Stewart, with whom she planned to establish a home in the Falkirk area. The couple was eagerly anticipating the arrival of their child later that year.
The fatal journey occurred as Stephen was driving Emily from Gilmerton back to Tullibody, a routine trip that tragically ended on the A823. Stephen’s parents, in a statement released at the time, expressed their profound shock and highlighted the unity brought forth among the grieving families. Their primary solace lay in the knowledge that their son and granddaughter were now beyond pain and suffering. They also spoke with pride about the positive impact Stephen and Emily had made on others, and the privilege they felt to have had them in their lives.
This case serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of adhering to all road safety regulations, including strict adherence to drug-driving laws, to prevent further heartache in our community.