A farmer who caused a fatal car accident when the trailer he was towing became detached from his tractor has been jailed to two years. Alister Clark, 58, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Stuart Reid, 34, was driving on the A95 to play golf near Huntly when the car accident happened. The trailer detached from Mr Clark's tractor, crossed the carriageway and struck Mr Reid's pick-up. Mr Reid was unable to avoid the trailer, which removed part of the pick-up roof and caused him fatal head and chest injuries.

The court heard that Mr Clark did not check that the trailer was correctly secured and attached to the tractor, and that he was also aware that the trailer's air brakes were faulty.

Lord Doherty, sentencing, said that Mr Clark had shown genuine remorse, and has also wanted the case to be widely publicised in order to alert the farming community to the responsibility and consequences of unsafe loads and equipment. Lord Doherty said that the degree of culpability was 'significant' and only a custodial sentence would highlight the severity of the incident. He also banned Clark for driving for three years.

Thompsons have years of experience in assisting the families’ of fatal accident victims.  We understand the first and most important thing that a family need and demand is answers!  Without answers as to what happened and why it happened they cannot move on with their lives, they need to know that no other family will be affected as they have been by the loss of a loved one.

Contact our specialist lawyers today on 0800 0891 331 and we will help you obtain the answers to your questions.  Our No Win No Fee policy means that we take care of the financial burden of legal action at an already stressful time for clients