Seven years for driver who took the life of 'loving and caring' Rachael

A MOTORIST who "did not like being overtaken" and caused a fatal accident in a high-speed chase was jailed for seven years yesterday.

Brian Redfern, 27, was annoyed at being passed and went in pursuit of the other driver, bumper to bumper, at about 75mph on a country road.

He lost control and smashed head-on into a car travelling in the opposite direction, causing instantly fatal injuries to the driver, Rachael Ward, 20.

A judge told Redfern, who had been under the influence of amphetamine, that he had indulged in very dangerous and atrocious driving, which began when a car overtook him.

"You increased your speed to make it difficult for him to complete his manoeuvre. The only explanation you have offered for this extremely aggressive behaviour is that you do not like being overtaken," said Lord Tyre.

The family of Ms Ward, an only child, of Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, spoke of their devastation after Redfern's sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

"2010 should have been such a special year for Rachael, as she was so looking forward to her 21st birthday … but she never lived to know what had been organised for her. Rachael's life was tragically and senselessly taken and our nightmare began, a nightmare that will never end as we struggle through each day without Rachael," they said.

"No words can express the devastation this has caused for her parents, her boyfriend and the rest of her family and her many friends. Rachael was full of life, kind, loving and caring, a young woman who was entitled to her chance at life the same as everyone else.

"She was loved by so many, and we have been forced to live forever with the emptiness and continual pain."

Redfern, of Stoneyacre, Tillicoultry, admitted causing the death of Ms Ward on 16 January by driving dangerously while under the influence of amphetamine on the A908 Alloa- Tillicoultry road.

Craig Lawson, 21, of Benbuck View, Coalsnaughton, near Tillicoultry, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

The advocate-depute, Andrew Stewart, QC, said Redfern and Lawson were unknown to each other. Redfern's Vauxhall Astra was seen with Lawson's silver Vauxhall Vectra behind it. Both were speeding.

"Redfern was driving bumper to bumper to the back of Lawson's car," said Mr Stewart.

Redfern pulled in, but then suddenly veered back to the wrong side of the road and hit Ms Ward's Citron Saxo.

A passenger in Redfern's car, Stacey Ross, 17, had to be cut free by firefighters.She suffered multiple fractures.

Lord Tyre banned Redfern from driving for ten years.

Lawson was fined 600 and disqualified for two years.