MacColls' fury at speedboat fine

MacColls' fury at speedboat fine

Kirsty MacColl was killed in December 2000

The mother of late singer Kirsty MacColl has hit out at the small fine handed out to the driver of the speedboat that killed her daughter.

Jose Cen Yam, who was at the controls of the boat, was fined £61 by a Mexican court after being found guilty of negligent homicide.

He was also ordered to pay £1,450 in damages to her two sons, Jamie and Louis, who witnessed her death.

Jean MacColl, 79, who has been fighting for justice for her daughter since the accident, said she and her family were "flabbergasted" at the sentence.

"It has never been about getting money, you cannot put a value on human life, but a £61 fine has shocked everyone," she said.

Folk singer MacColl was killed on holiday in south-east Mexico while diving with her two sons in 2000.

Cen Yam was a deckhand on the speedboat and questions have been raised about whether he should have been driving because he had little or no experience.

Mrs MacColl is now considering her next move in the campaign, including appealing against the sentence.

Jean MacColl has set up a website for the campaign

She is planning to travel to Mexico with a television crew to find out for herself what happened following the accident and the legal process that led to such a small fine being imposed.

Donations

"I don't know whether the amount of the fine is how Mexican law works, but if it is then the law should be changed," she told BBC News Online.

"I want people brought to account which will be the only justice."

The Justice for Kirsty campaign has been soaking up money from Kirsty's estate and her mother is asking for public support in her fight.

"I have been using Kirsty's money to fight this but now this must stop because the money should go to her children."

She is calling for donations and has been inspired by the money that has been sent in by members of the public.

The daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl, Kirsty was best known for her 1987 Christmas hit with The Pogues, Fairytale of New York, and the hit single There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis.

MacColl's other hits include a cover of Billy Bragg's song A New England, and a version of The Kinks' track Days.