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Jail for driver who killed five Jail for driver who killed five
(10 minutes later)
A driver who caused a crash which claimed five lives, including three members of the same family, has been jailed for three years and four months.A driver who caused a crash which claimed five lives, including three members of the same family, has been jailed for three years and four months.
Ewan Macpherson, 22, from Auchterarder, smashed head on into the car containing William Melville, his wife Allison and their son, also William, on the A85.Ewan Macpherson, 22, from Auchterarder, smashed head on into the car containing William Melville, his wife Allison and their son, also William, on the A85.
Tanya Webster and Donna Miller, who were in Macpherson's car, also died.Tanya Webster and Donna Miller, who were in Macpherson's car, also died.
The judge said he took into account an appeal for mercy from Ms Webster's mother when issuing the sentence.The judge said he took into account an appeal for mercy from Ms Webster's mother when issuing the sentence.
On 27 January 2007, Macpherson was driving on the A85 near the junction with the road leading to Keillour when he crossed a solid white line to overtake.On 27 January 2007, Macpherson was driving on the A85 near the junction with the road leading to Keillour when he crossed a solid white line to overtake.
He continued to drive on the wrong side of the road to the crest of a blind summit before smashing into the Melville's car.He continued to drive on the wrong side of the road to the crest of a blind summit before smashing into the Melville's car.
A nurse who stopped to help saw that Mrs Melville, 60, and her 33-year-old son were dead.A nurse who stopped to help saw that Mrs Melville, 60, and her 33-year-old son were dead.
Mr and Mrs Melville and their son William died in the crash READ THE RULING class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/29_05_08_HMA_Ewan Macpherson_Lord_Brailsford.pdf">HMA v Ewan Macpherson - High Court ruling [68KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
Mr Melville Sr, 67, was unconscious and died later in Perth Royal Infirmary.Mr Melville Sr, 67, was unconscious and died later in Perth Royal Infirmary.
Ms Webster and Ms Miller, both 19, died at the scene. DNA identification was later needed to distinguish between their bodies because the car had burst into flames.Ms Webster and Ms Miller, both 19, died at the scene. DNA identification was later needed to distinguish between their bodies because the car had burst into flames.
Mrs Melville, a lollipop lady at Methven Primary School, was made an MBE in 2002 and was said to have been a campaigner for road safety.Mrs Melville, a lollipop lady at Methven Primary School, was made an MBE in 2002 and was said to have been a campaigner for road safety.
Macpherson admitted causing the five deaths by driving dangerously.Macpherson admitted causing the five deaths by driving dangerously.
He had spent months in hospital after being dragged from his blazing car.He had spent months in hospital after being dragged from his blazing car.
Defence QC Peter Gray said the young man would bear the physical and mental scars from the smash for years.Defence QC Peter Gray said the young man would bear the physical and mental scars from the smash for years.
Jailing Macpherson, Lord Brailsford said: "Three of the victims were members of one family and it is impossible to adequately comprehend the suffering your actions have caused the survivors in this family.Jailing Macpherson, Lord Brailsford said: "Three of the victims were members of one family and it is impossible to adequately comprehend the suffering your actions have caused the survivors in this family.
Donna Miller and Tanya Webster were passengers in Macpherson's car Mr and Mrs Melville and their son William died in the crash
"The other two victims, both friends of yours, were young ladies on the threshold of adulthood. Again the suffering of their families cannot be properly comprehended.""The other two victims, both friends of yours, were young ladies on the threshold of adulthood. Again the suffering of their families cannot be properly comprehended."
Macpherson was also banned from driving for 10 years and ordered to re-sit an extended test.Macpherson was also banned from driving for 10 years and ordered to re-sit an extended test.
As Ms Webster's parents left court they paid tribute to their "very beautiful daughter".As Ms Webster's parents left court they paid tribute to their "very beautiful daughter".
Alan Webster said there were no winners in court because no sentence could equal the guilt felt by Macpherson.Alan Webster said there were no winners in court because no sentence could equal the guilt felt by Macpherson.
He added: "In our view he is not a maniac, as has been written, but someone who made a dreadful mistake which resulted in our and others' terrible loss. No sentence can bring them back.He added: "In our view he is not a maniac, as has been written, but someone who made a dreadful mistake which resulted in our and others' terrible loss. No sentence can bring them back.
"We will never get over the loss of Tanya but, hopefully, any young driver watching this will take extra care when they next get behind the wheel of a car.""We will never get over the loss of Tanya but, hopefully, any young driver watching this will take extra care when they next get behind the wheel of a car."