Driver who caused friend's death in crash spared jail

A 70-year-old man who broke the news to a friend's family that he had caused his death in a crash has avoided being jailed.

A trailer broke free from a van Malcolm Murchison was driving and collided with a car being driven by Donnie Martin, 65. He died at the scene.

Following the crash on the A87 in Skye, Murchison contacted the family of his long-time friend to tell them what happened.

A judge has decided against jailing Murchison because of his actions, and also due to what he described as the Martin family's "remarkable response" to him.

The family had asked that Murchison should not be prosecuted.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, he was ordered to carry out 134 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for two years and eight months.

Defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif asked judge Lord Lake to exercise leniency, saying that his client had experienced guilt and shame for his actions.

He said that Murchison, who pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by careless driving earlier this year, was struggling to come to terms with what he had done.

Lord Lake paid tribute to the family of Mr Martin, who was a Skye shinty club chieftain.

The judge told first offender Murchison: "You have accepted responsibility for your actions.

"It is highly significant that you broke the news of Mr Martin's death to his family.

"It is a sign of how remarkable Mr Martin's family have been in their response to these events.

"They have provided you with support to help you cope with what has happened."

Murchison was driving near Portree when the crash happened.

The court heard an "excessive and unsecured" load caused the trailer to detach from the van.

Murchison was originally charged with causing death by dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to an amended charge earlier this year at a hearing at the High Court in Inverness.

On that occasion, the court heard that Mr Martin's relatives did not want Murchison to be prosecuted.