Jail term for death crash driver

McQueen was jailed for three years at the High Court in Edinburgh

A driver who admitted causing the death of a woman by dangerous driving has been jailed for three years.

Angela McCormick, 39, was returning from visiting one of her 10-day-old twin boys in hospital in Dumfries when she died in the crash in February 2007.

Mark McQueen, 19, of Burntscarthgreen, Locharbriggs, admitted committing the offence on the A76 at Auldgirth.

Judge Lord Brodie told the High Court in Edinburgh that McQueen had caused "inestimable damage to other lives".

The court heard that McQueen was trying to overtake a lorry when his car smashed into another vehicle.

Ms McCormick, of Dryburn Road, Kelloholm, died in the resulting crash and her parents were badly injured.

READ IN FULL Sentencing statement: HMA V Mark Ian McQueen [84KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

McQueen suffered only superficial cuts and bruises.

"It is a tragedy for you, but a greater tragedy for the family involved in the collision," said Lord Brodie.

"The dangerous driving to which you pled guilty has had the result of taking away one life, but also causing inestimable damage to other lives, including Angela McCormick's parents and her children."

McQueen was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to resit his test.

Ms McCormick's partner, Jim Ferguson, 36, expressed disappointment at the sentence.

The crash took place on the A76 in Dumfries and Galloway

"I was hoping for a longer sentence - I was hoping for a longer driving ban as well," he said.

"There is not a day goes by that I don't miss her.

"I would give everything to have one day to say goodbye to her but it is not going to happen."

Mr Ferguson said last year was meant to be Angela's year with her impending 40th birthday and the couple planning to marry in July.

He said drivers had to realise they were in charge of "a lethal weapon" and added: "You don't overtake on a blind summit."

Ms McCormick was returning from visiting one of her 10-day-old twin sons in hospital when the crash occurred.

She was being driven back from Dumfries Infirmary by her father James, 62, along with his wife Helen, 61, and Ms McCormick's three-year-old daughter Leah.

He has no words to make things better for those who have been affected by his conduct Bill McVicar, defending

The couple were also seriously injured in the incident but the young girl emerged unhurt.

Defence solicitor advocate Bill McVicar said: "This is a matter in which Mark McQueen expresses the most profound regret and apologies.

"He has no words to make things better for those who have been affected by his conduct."

He said the first offender came from "an excellent background".

He added that McQueen had committed "a catastrophic error of judgment in a split second".

Mr McVicar asked the judge to consider a non-custodial disposal in the case but Lord Brodie said he had come to the view that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.