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Drink driver (28) who killed Moray grandmother in Brodie crash is jailed for four years


By Ali Morrison

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A DRINK driver who killed a "much-loved" great-grandmother in a crash in Brodie has been jailed for four years and banned from driving for seven.

Shaun Munro (28), of Swordale, Lewis, collided with Katrina Smith's car after swerving onto the wrong side of the road on the A96 in the village on April 28, 2019.

Katrina Smith (76), from Burghead, was on her way to a car boot sale when she lost her life in the crash.

Munro had earlier admitted causing the death of Mrs Smith by driving dangerously after having consumed alcohol.

Edinburgh High Court heard on Thursday, May 12, that he failed to keep control of his vehicle, failed to negotiate a bend and went on to the wrong side of the road before failing to take action to avoid a collision.

Advocate depute Owen Mullan said witnesses saw the Isuzu being driven by Munro drift from the east-bound lane and cross into the opposing carriageway before colliding head on with the Peugeot driven by the victim.

A judge told him: "You pled guilty to the very serious offence of causing the death of Katrina Smith by driving dangerously and whilst under the influence of alcohol."

The judge at the High Court said that no sentence he could pass could make up for her loss.

Lord Matthews said: "She was a much-loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother who was very active.

Speaking to Munro, he added: "You were yourself seriously injured, albeit entirely through your own fault, and have attempted suicide because of what you did."

He told Munro that he would have faced a six-year jail term if convicted after trial but the sentence would be discounted following his guilty plea.

Munro suffered leg injuries in the crash and was flown to hospital. He said he had no recollection of the incident and was found to have 97mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50 mg.

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci QC said: "This is a tragic case all round and I say that whilst recognising that the only true victim is Mrs Smith and the impact that has had on her family."

He said Munro was "truly sorry" for his actions and added: "He has found living with the knowledge that his actions have taken the life of another almost unbearable on occasion."

Mr Renucci said Munro had made an attempt to take his own life and was hospitalised as a result.

The defence counsel said Munro accepted that a jail sentence was "inevitable" but added that he was assessed as posing a low risk to others in future.

Mr Renucci said Munro had been in full-time employment up until the collision but was now unable to work because of the injuries he sustained.

He said that Munro, who appeared in the dock using a pair of crutches, was drinking the night before the morning crash.





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