Death crash soldier spared jail

Motorist to carry out unpaid work after woman dies in head-on smash

A FORMER soldier once recognised for his bravery has been ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work for killing a woman in a head-on car crash.

Ross Nelson, 28, caused his van to plough into Brenda Donaldson’s Citroen after going on to the wrong side of the road. The civil engineer did not survive the crash on the A977 in Kinross-shire in November 2014.

Nelson returned to the dock having earlier pled guilty to causing the 55 year-old’s death by careless driving.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lady Scott told Neilson it was a “significant failure” by crossing on to the wrong side of the road that day sparking a “heavy” collision. But, the judge said after “balancing all factors”, she had decided it was “not necessary” to jail the former squaddie.

These included Nelson showing “heartfelt sorrow” and being “genuinely remorseful”.

Lady Scott added: “You also have a history of lengthy army service involving tours of duty and you have been mentioned in dispatches for your bravery.”

Nelson was ordered to carry out the punishment within 12 months.

The father was also banned from the road for the next four years.

The fatal smash occurred while visibility was poor due to fog. Nelson’s Transit van hit Miss Donaldson’s car as she travelled in the opposite direction.

The court heard how he escaped with cuts and bruises and tried to in vain to help the woman after the accident.

Ronnie Renucci, defending, said Nelson had not realised he had been on the wrong side of road that morning.

The advocate added: “He has found it difficult to come to terms that he was responsible for the death of another.”

Nelson had originally gone to trial in Edinburgh late last year accused of causing death by dangerous driving.

But, prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to the reduced charge near the end of the case.

Nelson made no comment after the hearing and shielded his face with a newspaper.

Following the crash, Miss Donaldson’s partner of 24 years paid tribute to the former Glasgow University graduate, who lived in Crook of Devon, Perthshire.

Alexander Johnston was quoted as saying: “I am devastated by what happened...I am missing her already. She was just a fun-loving person.”

He said Miss Donaldson, who worked for a council contractor in the Angus area, was a ‘fun loving’ person who was devoted to getting things done at work, filled their home with books that she would read avidly and loved cats.

He also spoke about how they had many treasured memories of their time together, including a two-and-a-half-year stint living in Hong Kong.

Miss Donaldson had been one of the first women to graduate in her field from Glasgow University.