A teenage tractor driver who caused the death of a pensioner on a Fife road has been sentenced to six months’ detention.
Catherine Armitt, 73, died after farmer Russell Graham drove straight into the path of a car being driven by her daughter Angela Packer on the A92 near Freuchie last February.
Members of both Graham’s and Mrs Armitt’s family wept as the 19-year-old was sentenced at Dundee Sheriff Court today.
The court heard previously that Mrs Armitt’s death had “almost overwhelmed” Graham, who “fully accepted” the blame for the tragedy.
The court heard that Graham was towing an unloaded trailer when he came out of the C20 Kettlebridge junction without stopping or keeping a proper lookout for other vehicles.
Mrs Armitt was fatally injured in the crash and died in hospital the next day after suffering fractured ribs, spine, sternum and hand as well as bruising to her heart and lungs. The cause of her death was given as chest and neck injuries sustained in the crash.
Graham, of Raecruik Farm, Auchtermuchty, admitted causing Mrs Armitt’s death by careless driving on February 18 last year.
Defence advocate Susan Duff said: “There are two families whose lives have been changed forever by this accident and if Russell Graham could change what happened, he would in an instant.
“He will live with this for the rest of his life and he knows his actions took Mrs Armitt away from her loving family.He is a decent young man who made a very bad momentary error of judgment.”
A witness driving in the other direction saw the crash and described Graham driving “straight across the junction” without stopping.
After the crash another driver saw Mrs Packer shouting: “My mum, my mum!” He also described Graham as “shaking uncontrollably and crying.”
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson previously told the court that Mrs Packer was approaching the junction on the southbound carriageway at about 40mph.
She said: “Mrs Packer had seen the tractor drive into her path and tried to drive out of the way but was unable to avoid colliding with the tractor.”
Mrs Duff said that the level of Graham’s culpability was “negligence” and an “error of judgment” and moved for a community-based sentence.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro said: “I am satisfied this was careless driving falling not far short of dangerous driving and carries a custodial sentence.
“It would be inappropriate to sentence you to a lengthy period, but given the circumstances of the driving and its outcome, it will result in a custodial sentence.”
Graham was also disqualified from driving for three years.For more on this story, see Thursday’s Courier or try our digital edition.