Farmer admits he caused fatal crash

Carelessly-driven tractor led to death on rural Angus road

An Angus farmer has admitted driving his tractor carelessly and causing the death of a woman in a crash.

Duncan Lamond was towing a crop sprayer when his tractor hit a Volkswagen Polo on a rural road between Arbroath and Forfar.

The driver of the Polo, 69-year-old Dorothy Stables, was injured and her passenger, Linda Thomson, died at the scene of the crash.

At Forfar Sheriff Court, Lamond pled guilty to injuring Ms Stables and causing Ms Thomson’s death by careless driving.

He admitted failing to give way and pulling out of a junction when there was insufficient time to do so.

An Angus tractor driver has admitted causing the death of a woman on a country road by driving carelessly while towing an agricultural crop sprayer.

Duncan Lamond will be sentenced after a special reasons hearing next month.

On July 28 last year, Lamond’s John Deere tractor collided with a Volkswagen Polo on a rural road near Lochlair – between Arbroath and Forfar – at around 8.10am.

Court papers confirm the crash took place at a junction where the B9127 between Carmyllie and Kirkbuddo and the B9128 between Craichie and Muirdrum meet.

The Polo was being driven by 69-year-old Dorothy Stables.

Ms Stables was injured and 56-year-old Linda Thomson, a passenger in the rear seat, was injured so severely she died at the scene of the crash.

Lamond was not hurt, but Ms Stables was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Both vehicles were damaged.

The road was closed for around eight hours for police to carry out an investigation.

At Forfar Sheriff Court, Lamond pled guilty to an amended charge of injuring Ms Stables and causing Ms Thomson’s death by careless driving.

Upon reaching the junction, Lamond admitted while Ms Stables’ car was turning left, he failed to give way and pulled out from the junction when there was insufficient time to do so safely.

Sheriff Derek Reekie ordered a social work report and restriction of liberty order assessment to be carried out ahead of sentencing and a special reasons hearing next month.

He told Lamond: “It’s obviously a serious matter.”

The special reasons hearing will afford Lamond’s solicitor a chance to put forward mitigating circumstances which do not amount to a defence but which may justify the court departing from normal sentencing.

The 43-year-old, of Finlay Drive in Arbroath, is due back in court next month.

“It’s obviously a serious matter

GUILTY PLEA: Lamond’s lawyer will get the opportunity to argue mitigation to seek a reduced sentence.