Killer drink driver out of jail after 14 months

Keith McCardle mowed down Gavin Fulton, 43, in Dundas Street in December 2012 as he walked home from a night out.

He admitted downing four alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel of his Land Rover Freelander and was sent to prison for five years in January 2014.

But McCardle is already eligible for days out of prison and Mr Fulton’s two young daughters – Faye, 12, and 15-year-old Mia – fear they will bump into the killer driver as his sister lives near them.

Mr Fulton’s widow Jill, 43, received a letter from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) revealing that McCardle, from Musselburgh, was now eligible for “unescorted temporary release”.

She said: “Both of my girls burst into tears when I told them. My youngest asked if she might see him in the street and I had to gently explain that she might.

“If he is getting out to be with his family, his sister lives near us – it doesn’t bear thinking about.”

McCardle was jailed and banned from the road for eight years after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Mrs Fulton said as soon as she saw the SPS headed notepaper she knew it was “bad news”.

“I struggled to get back to work, but this has set me back again and I know I cannot face nursing at this moment,” she said.

“My bosses have been supportive, which is a blessing, but watching your husband ebb away through someone’s complete disregard for life has been incredibly painful.

“Our lives changed forever at that moment and the feeling of loneliness has been crushing.

The SPS said it has a “responsibility to prepare individuals for appearance in front of the parole board”.

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