Social Media Influencer Jailed After Ignoring Brake Warnings and Causing Fatal School-Run Crash

A Scottish social media influencer has been sentenced to prison after a court found that her reckless decision to ignore repeated brake failure warnings led directly to the death of a 77-year-old grandmother during a routine school run. The case has sparked renewed debate about road safety, personal responsibility and the dangers of disregarding vehicle safety alerts.

Leigh Sutherland, who built an online following as a TikToker, admitted causing the death of Margaret Allan after crashing into her car while she was driving her 10-year-old grandson home from school. The collision took place on a residential road in Scotland, turning what should have been an ordinary afternoon into a moment of devastating loss for one family.

During sentencing, the court heard that Sutherland had been repeatedly warned about serious faults with her car’s braking system in the weeks leading up to the crash. Dashboard alerts and mechanical signs made clear that the vehicle was unsafe to drive, yet she continued to use it, including for everyday journeys. Prosecutors described this behaviour as a conscious and dangerous choice rather than a simple oversight.

On the day of the crash, Allan was travelling at low speed with her grandson securely in the car when Sutherland’s vehicle struck them. Allan suffered fatal injuries and died shortly after, while the child survived physically unharmed but deeply traumatised by the incident. The court was told that the impact was entirely avoidable had basic safety precautions been taken.

In the aftermath, Sutherland initially gave police what officers described as a “cock and bull story,” attempting to deflect responsibility and suggest the collision was unavoidable. Investigators later established that the brakes had failed as a direct result of long-standing mechanical neglect. The judge said this attempt to mislead authorities further demonstrated a lack of accountability and insight into the seriousness of her actions.

Margaret Allan was remembered in court as a devoted grandmother who played an active role in her family’s daily life. Relatives described her as someone who rarely missed the school run and cherished the time spent caring for her grandson. Victim impact statements spoke of an irreplaceable loss and the lasting emotional damage caused to a child who witnessed his grandmother’s final moments.

Sentencing Sutherland to a custodial term, the judge stressed that driving is a responsibility, not a right, and that ignoring safety warnings can have fatal consequences. The court also imposed a lengthy driving ban, stating that public confidence in road safety depends on holding drivers fully accountable for preventable deaths.

The case has resonated widely across Scotland, serving as a stark reminder that no level of online influence excuses dangerous behaviour. Authorities hope the sentence will reinforce a clear message that vehicle warnings exist to save lives, and ignoring them can destroy families forever.