Jail term for death crash soldier

The court heard that Higgins lost control of his car on a bend

A drink-driving soldier who cost a friend his life during a night out in Fife has been jailed for five years.

Andrew Higgins, 19, admitted causing death by driving without due care and attention and while unfit through drink in the early hours of 31 December 2004.

Colin Mournian, 17, who was a passenger in the car, was killed instantly.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Higgins, a private in the Black Watch, now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, lost control on a bend.

Tests in hospital later showed an alcohol level one-and-a-half times the legal limit.

You were driving too fast, you had taken a good deal to drink and you caused this accident by your carelessness Judge Lord Wheatley

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Wheatley said it was "a terrible and dreadful case".

The judge said: "You were driving too fast, you had taken a good deal to drink and you caused this accident by your carelessness.

"As a consequence you killed your best friend. It is clear the lives of two families have been shattered by this and that will remain the case for a long time."

Solicitor advocate Gordon Martin, defending, said Higgins accepted that he would go to prison and that his career in the Army was over.

Higgins also wished to apologise to Mr Mournian's family for the "terrible incident".

Driving ban

Advocate depute Adrian Cottam, prosecuting, said Higgins was seen to have some difficulty driving the Astra.

Returning to a party along the town's Carnegie Avenue, he lost control on a bend.

Higgins, of Clunie Road in Dunfermline, suffered a broken wrist and injuries to his shin and feet and a mark from his seat belt.

Lord Wheatley told Higgins that if he had not pleaded guilty at the first opportunity the jail sentence would have been seven years.

He also banned Higgins from driving for eight years and ordered him to re-sit his test.