Scottish man jailed for causing death of 20-year-old by dangerous driving

Man convicted of causing death by dangerous driving

A man who pleaded guilty to causing the death of a 20-year-old man by dangerous driving has been jailed.

At Edinburgh High Court in January Mikey Durdle admitted causing the death of Kyle Robertson, from Inverness, in a crash on the A835 near Garve on Sunday, 25 February 2018.

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The court heard he was driving at a speed "well in excess of 80mph" at the time of the collision, on a road with a 60mph limit.

Durdle was sentenced on Thursday at the High Court in Aberdeen.Durdle was sentenced on Thursday at the High Court in Aberdeen.
Durdle was sentenced on Thursday at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Durdle, from Beauly, was sentenced on Thursday at Aberdeen’s High Court to three years in prison.

He has also been disqualified from driving for a period of seven years and six months.

In a sentencing statement published on the Judiciary of Scotland website, Lord Arthurson said: "The agreed narrative in this case makes plain that at about 2pm that day you drove your vehicle at a greatly excessive speed in an overtaking manoeuvre on to the opposing carriageway and thereafter into collision with the vehicle being driven by Mr Robertson, who was not known to you.

"Your dangerous driving caused his vehicle to leave the road, cross the verge on to a railway line and to strike a tree on the far embankment.

"The speed limit was 60mph and you were certainly in the course of your overtaking manoeuvre driving at a speed well in excess of 80mph at the time of the collision."

Lord Arthurson said Mr Robertson's family have sustained a "grievous loss".

He added: "Indeed, no sentence which this court can pass upon you today can adequately measure or even begin to address the overwhelming and enduring scale of the pain which the family of Mr Robertson continue to endure, as has been made clear eloquently and most movingly within the victim impact statements prepared by Mr Robertson's parents and sister which I have read in advance of this sentencing hearing."

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In a statement released after Durdle pleaded guilty, Mr Robertson's mother Lorraine Robertson said: "Kyle was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby and his father and I treasured every day we had with him.

"We always thought we would get a chance to say goodbye to the lad with the unforgettable smile but that was sadly taken away from us.

"Our son loved his life, he was happy and was a hard-working young man with so many friends. He was the life and soul of our family and had a heart of gold."

Acknowledging Durdle’s conviction was Sergeant Chris Murray, Police Scotland’s senior investigating officer, who issued a warning about the dangers of driving at excessive speeds.

Sergeant Murray said: "This was a tragic incident which needlessly resulted in death of a young man at just 20-years-old. This incident has had a devastating impact on Kyle Robertson’s family and friends.

"I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward during this extensive enquiry.

"It stands as a stark reminder of the consequences which driving dangerously and at excessive speed can have.

"Kyle Robertson has lost his life in this collision and Mikey Durdle is now serving a custodial sentence for his involvement.

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"This was a completely avoidable incident, which has had long lasting consequences for all those involved and especially those who knew Kyle.

"Drivers must obey speed limits and respect the safety of other road users. Drivers are responsible for their actions and the temptation to take risks can have long lasting consequences, please take a second to consider is it worth it."