No jail for teen who caused death of pal

Banned and will have to re-sit test

A teen who caused the death of his “best mate” less than two months after passing his driving test will have to “live with the consequences for the rest of his life.”

But the parents of 18-year-old victim Billy Haggart had forgiven 19-year-old Bradley Wallace, an uninsured driver, Perth Sheriff Court was told this week.

And Sheriff William Wood described that as “unspeakable generosity” on their part, adding: “They could have so easily reacted in a different way.”

Solicitor Mike Tavendale described the incident as a “tragic accident” that had been caused by a “moment’s inattention.”

Although his client, an apprentice joiner, had driven for a couple of months afterwards, he hadn’t been behind the wheel since.

Wallace, of Glendevon Court, Rattray, was banned for 30 months on Wednesday and will have re-sit the extended driving test.

He was also ordered to carry out a total of 170 hours of unpaid work - a direct alternative to a jail term.

He admitted causing the death of Mr Haggart, an apprentice panel beater/paint sprayer, by driving carelessly on the A923 Dundee-Coupar Angus road, near Tullybaccart Farm access road, on July 22, 2017.

The charge indicated that while negotiating a bend at speed, which was excessive for the road lay-out, he mounted the verge and overturned.

He also pled guilty to a second charge of having no insurance.

The court heard details of the horror crash when Wallace’s car left the road and overturned several times as he drove four friends home in the early hours after a late-night trip to the cinema in Dundee.

Depute fiscal David Barclay explained that Wallace was at the Billy Haggart. Right, driver Bradley Wallace

wheel of the Ford Focus he had recently purchased. Mr Haggart was a front-seat passenger.

As the vehicle negotiated a righthand bend, however, Wallace, who had only passed his test on May 30, 2017, lost control.

“It’s not suggested that he was travelling in excess of the speed limit but it appears that he has taken the corner too fast ,” explained the fiscal.

“His driving inexperience is likely to have played a part.”

Mr Tavendale added: “Mr Wallace very much values the expressions of support from the deceased’s parents.

“It has been a tragic accident. There’s very little I can say - or Mr Wallace can say - to express his remorse for what started out as a night out with others and ended so tragically.”

The lawyer pointed out that it was the only kerb on that road “for miles.”

It appears that he has taken the corner too fast