Drug driver jailed for seven years

A drug-fuelled motorist who killed a "loving and caring" young woman in a high-speed crash was jailed for seven years today.

Brian Redfern lost control of his car after overtaking and crashed into another car travelling in the opposite direction.

Its driver, Rachael Ward, 20, suffered numerous injuries and died at the scene.

Blood samples taken from Redfern after the crash tested positive for amphetamine. The drug is known to increase risk-taking.

Redfern previously pled guilty to causing Ms Ward's death by dangerous driving on the A908 Alloa to Tillicoultry road in Clackmannanshire.

He admitted driving at excessive speed while under the influence of the Class B drug on January 16 this year.

Co-accused Craig Lawson, 21, who was driving another car, admitted a charge of dangerous driving.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, judge Lord Tyre jailed Redfern, of Stoneyacre, Tillicoultry, for seven years and handed him a 10-year driving ban.

He told him that Ms Ward, of Stalker Avenue, Tillicoultry, died as a consequence of his "grossly reckless" driving and through no fault of her own.

He fined Lawson 600 and disqualified him from driving for two years.

Ms Ward's relatives later told how they have been living through a "nightmare" since she died.

Speaking outside court on behalf of the family, Heather Duncan, 20, a cousin of the victim, said: "On the 16th of January 2010, returning from work, Rachael's life was tragically and senselessly taken and our nightmare began - a nightmare that will never end as we struggle through each day without Rachael.

"She did nothing wrong that night but both the other drivers had a part to play in this tragedy and they have to live with the consequences of their actions as we have to live without Rachael.

"No words can express the devastation this has caused for her parents, her boyfriend and the rest of her family and her many friends.

"Rachael was full of life, kind, loving and caring, a young woman who was entitled to her chance at life the same as everyone else.

"She was loved by so many and we have been forced to live forever with the emptiness and continual pain of losing our beautiful daughter who had everything to live for."

Ms Duncan said no sentence could ever compensate for the loss of her cousin, who was looking at going back to college with a view to becoming a PE teacher.

She said Rachael had been looking forward to her 21st birthday and that her boyfriend had been planning a memorable holiday, which she never got to find out about.