Dangerous driver ‘tried to play down culpability’ in fatal collision that killed ‘kind and caring’ schoolgirl

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

It was a collision waiting to happen, jurors at the trial of Andrew Cairns - a dangerous driver who killed a ‘kind and caring’ school girl in a fatal collision - were told.

The court heard that if Cairns had been following the speed limit then Ruby Cropper, 11, from Radcliffe, would still ‘in all probability’ be alive today.

Ruby’s heartbroken family listened in shock and horror from the back of the courtroom throughout the course of a five-day trial as jurors heard countless pieces of evidence into Cairns’ driving in the moments prior to the collision.

Ruby had been enjoying a sunny day in the school holidays on the way to the park with a friend when, on August 10, 2020, she was hit by a Suzuki Alto vehicle on New Road in Radcliffe. READ MORE: 'Mate, you don't need to do this': Brother of Texas hostage taker begs him 'think about your kids' in final phone call The car was being driven by Andrew Cairns, 36, of Rupert Street, Radcliffe, who was on the way home from work in Whitefield and had been driving ‘in excess speed’ at the time.