Teleporter aunt killer's prison term is reduced

'Tearful' farmer's sentence cut by 18 mths after appeal

- BY EOIN REYNOLDS

A FARMER who acted in a “thuggish" manner towards his elderly aunt, before causing her death by driving over her in an agricultural teleporter, has had his sentence reduced by 18 months following a successful appeal.

Mr Justice Brian O'Moore yesterday said that Michael Scott's negligent behaviour in driving the teleporter outside victim Christina Treacy's home without keeping a proper lookout warranted a headline sentence of six years.

He further reduced the sentence to four years and six months after considering Scott's remorse, lack of previous convictions, long work history, status as a family man and his low risk of reoffending.

Scott had been sentenced to six years in prison by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court but appealed the severity of that penalty.