Driver who killed friend in crash is sent to jail

A DRINK-DRIVER who caused the death of his friend in a high-speed crash has been jailed for five years.

Stuart McCulloch, 28, told witnesses and the police that he had not been driving, and had no recollection between being in a nightclub and waking up in hospital.

It was only after officers explained that his friend, Michael Cameron, 23, had been found dead in his seat belt in the passenger seat that McCulloch accepted he must have been behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

McCulloch, of Halkirk, Caithness, admitted causing the death of Mr Cameron, of Thurso, Caithness, on the A9 near Spittal, Caithness, on 26 February last year, by driving carelessly, under the influence of alcohol, and while the holder of only a provisional licence.

Lord Pentland told McCulloch at the High Court in Edinburgh: “I am acutely aware that no sentence I impose can possibly serve to undo the devastating consequences of your grossly irresponsible behaviour. Your reprehensible conduct brought about the untimely death of a young man who had been your friend and caused great grief to his family and friends.”

He said the accused had made a deliberate decision to drive, although he had been drinking into the early hours.

Defence solicitor-advocate, Neil Wilson, said: “He very much regrets it and is dreadfully sorry for the pain he has caused to family of Mr Cameron.”