The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Driver who caused fatal crash jailed for six years
Aconvicted drink-driver whose dangerous actions at the wheel of a powerful BMW caused the death of a “lovely” and “bubbly” woman has been jailed for six years.
Raymond Ward, 30, passed his test just three months before his BMW 218 D Sports Coupe hit Claire Anderson’s purple Ford Fiesta on Orkney.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard about he smash on the A964 road between Kirkwall and Orphir on June 14 2019.
Witnesses saw Ward driving the car – which has a top speed of more than 130mph – on the wrong side of the road moments before the collision.
One motorist was so alarmed as Ward dangerously overtook him just before the crash that he said to his passenger: “Where’s the fire?”
Moments later, Ward’s car struck 23-year-old Ms Anderson’s vehicle. Onlookers tried in vain to save her life.
Jurors returned a verdict of guilty to a charge that Ward caused Ms Anderson’s death by dangerous driving.
Yesterday, the court heard Ward has two previous convictions – one of them for drink-driving, an offence committed before he had his licence.
Jailing Ward and banning him from driving for 10 years, Judge Fiona Tait made reference to a victim impact statement provided by Ms Anderson’s relatives.
She had also heard from defence advocate Edith Forrest who told the court of her client’s shame and remorse over his actions.
Judge Tait told Ward: “Ms Anderson was entirely blameless. She was a 23-year-old woman who was a part of a close and loving family.
“Her family are greatly affected by her loss – they found it difficult to provide a victim impact statement but I have read about the impact her loss has had upon each family member.
“I have listened to everything which has been said to me on your behalf by your counsel. I take into account your expressions of remorse.
“However, this is a very serious offence and I have concluded that a custodial sentence is the only way to deal with this matter.
“The appropriate sentence in this case will be one of six years.”
Earlier this year, jurors heard Ward, of Kirkwall, Orkney, had passed his driving test in March 2019.
On the day of the collision, he had spent the morning at a job interview at a fish farm.
The journey between the fish farm and the crash site was approximately three-and-a-half minutes.
Engineer Robert Wetherall, of London, was holidaying in Orkney with his partner Diane Stanning on the day of the crash and saw Ward driving at high speed.
He said he was travelling at 40mph and estimated that Ward overtook him at about 60mph.
He added: “I remember saying to Diane: ‘Where’s the fire?’”
Mr Wetherall said he lost sight of the BMW soon after, but told the court he soon saw smoke.
He added: “I said to Diane: ‘The silly sod’s only gone and crashed.’”
Yesterday, Ms Forrest told the court Ward is undergoing counselling and had told the author of a criminal justice social work report he was “terrified” of a prison sentence.
Ms Forrest told Judge Tait he has continually expressed remorse over Ms Anderson’s death.
She added: “Mr Ward again asks me to express an apology to the family of Ms Anderson.
“He feels deep remorse and he thinks about the incident on a daily basis but accepts that it will be minimal in comparison to the feelings of loss that will be experienced by Ms Anderson’s family.”
However, Judge Tait told Ward there was no alternative to custody.
She also spoke to members of Ms Anderson’s family who were present in court.
Judge Tait added: “I express my condolences to the family of Ms Anderson.”