Speeding driver jailed for causing death of man at 80mph

A speeding motorist who admitted causing the death of another man by dangerous driving has been jailed for three years.

Kyle Robertson, 20, from Smithton, Inverness, died in a two-car collision on the A835 near Garve in the Highlands on February 25, 2018.

Mikey Durdle, 23, admitted causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh in January.

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 to three years behind bars when he appeared at the High Court in Aberdeen on Thursday.

He was also banned from driving for seven years and six months.

In a statement 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.”

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.”

Sergeant Chris Murray of Police Scotland said: “This was a tragic incident which needlessly resulted in the 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 inquiry.

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