Man sentenced over friend's death in crash

David Mulhollland died in the crash in Fife

A 19-year-old whose careless driving led to the death of his best friend has been given a community service order.

Paul Robinson, of Bonnygate, Cupar, pleaded guilty to causing the death of David "Dee" Mulholland, 17, by careless driving in November 2008.

At Cupar Sheriff Court, Sheriff Charlie Macnair gave Robinson a 120-hour community service order and banned him from driving for two years.

David, of Springfield, Fife, died in the crash on the A91 near Cupar.

Robinson's car hit an electricity pole, became airborne and came to rest in a field, killing David, his front-seat passenger. Two other cars were also involved in the collision.

Prosecutor Laura Wright described the death as the result of "a terrible, tragic accident" and said there were no aggravating factors such as excessive speed, or prolonged carelessness in the driving leading up to it.

No sentence I impose can reflect the appalling consequences of this offence Sheriff Charlie Macnair

Sheriff Macnair said: "No sentence I impose can reflect the appalling consequences of this offence, which has caused the death of a wholly innocent person and a close friend of yours, and that will be something you will have to live with for the rest of your life."

Vikki Watt, defending, said Robinson, a tyre fitter, had suffered from cerebral palsy from birth, leading to problems with mobility, and driving had been one way of overcoming that.

She said: "He wishes to offer his deepest sympathy to the Mulholland family.

"He has been greatly affected by the loss of his friend and the guilt he feels."

Outside court, the victim's mother Pauline Mulholland said the sentence was a "travesty".

David, an apprentice joiner who attended Kirkcaldy College, received a Society for the Protection of Life bravery award from Tayside Fire and Rescue Service in 2007 after saving a disabled woman from a burning house.