Driver avoids jail term after his close cousin dies in horror smash
A SPEEDING driver who lost control on a bend and ploughed into a house, killing his disabled cousin in the passenger seat, avoided a jail sentence yesterday.
Scott Riddell, 43, skidded off an Aberdeenshire road, careered through a field and a wall before smashing into the building, leaving Leslie Stuart dead.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard the pair, who were “more like brothers”, had been enjoying a day out when tragedy struck on Saturday, June 18, 2016.
Riddell, who was driving at about 75mph on the A947 road between Banff and Turriff, hit the kerb on a bend and lost control.
A police investigation concluded the crash was caused by crane operator Riddell attempting to negotiate a bend at too high a speed.
Riddell, of Turriff, admitted driving his Audi S4 without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users. He admitted driving “at excessive speed”, losing control of his car, causing it to skid across the carriageway and collide with a house.
Leslie, 58, of Aberdeen, who was in poor health and reliant on a wheelchair after his left leg was amputated below the knee in 2013, was cut free and taken to the city’s Royal Infirmary, where he died two days later.
Sheriff William Summers told Riddell: “You will have to live for the rest of your life with the consequences of what happened on June 18, 2016.”
He ordered Riddell to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community and banned him from driving for two years.
Last night, Leslie’s family issued a statement saying: “Everyone has been left heartbroken and in a state of turmoil following Leslie’s death. He was a wonderful son and brother and an incredible friend.”