Driver jailed for killing mother and children

A hit-and-run driver who killed a mother and two children while high on drink and drugs was jailed for 11 years yesterday.

A hit-and-run driver who killed a mother and two children while high on drink and drugs was jailed for 11 years yesterday.

Dean Martin, 23, admitted causing the death of Anne Martin (no relation), 39, her daughter Ashley, eight, and five-year-old Ross Sneddon in February while driving a stolen car at 70mph through Glenrothes in Fife. Martin, who also received a life-long driving ban at the High Court in Edinburgh, admitted he had been drinking and had taken ecstasy shortly before he lost control of his vehicle, mounted the pavement and ploughed into a group of mothers and children returning from a dance class.

Michelle Sneddon, whose son died, was injured in the accident as she pushed the pram of her two-year-old daughter, Lyta, out of the way.

Martin ran from the scene but was later arrested. Yesterday the court heard of Martin's remorse. Edgar Prais QC, for the defence, said his client had attempted suicide.

In passing sentence Lord Brodie said the term of 13 years for culpable homicide had been reduced by two years in light of Martin's guilty plea.

Outside the court Andrew Sneddon, 28, the father of Ross, condemned the jail term as derisory. He said: "The justice system has let me down, it has let my family down. It's let Ross down. The justice system has let victims down."