Drunk driver caused death crash

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A drink driver who has never held a driving licence has admitted causing the death of a young mother in a car crash in Lanarkshire.

Stacey Muldoon, 23, was a passenger in a car driven by Robert Park which hit a lamppost in Larkhall in July last year.

A court heard Park, 22, was more than twice the legal alcohol limit. He will be sentenced next month.

Ms Muldoon had accepted a lift, along with a friend, after a night out in the town.

The High Court in Glasgow was told that Miss Muldoon, a mother of two young children, had been enjoying a night out at a bar in Larkhall with friend Derek Lambie and others on 9 July last year.

People like Park need to realise that cars can be a deadly weapon and you can't simply get behind the wheel and do what he did Leigh Muldoon Victim's sister

Park was also in the pub and was known to Mr Lambie, but not Miss Muldoon.

Miss Muldoon later got separated from her group and sent texts asking if anyone could take her back to the family home in Stonehouse six miles away.

She eventually met Mr Lambie again and they then bumped into Park who agreed to drive them despite it being illegal to get behind the wheel.

The court heard how his Volvo swerved violently as he drove at speeds of up to 55mph in the 30mph zone.

'Close family'

When he lost control and hit a lamppost, Miss Muldoon, a backseat passenger, was thrown forward causing her to fracture her spine.

The shop assistant died due to serious neck and chest injuries.

The court heard Park, who did not have a driving licence, was found to have been more than twice the legal drink drive limit and also had evidence of diazepam in his system.

Miss Muldoon's family were in court to hear the circumstances surrounding her death.

Her sister Leigh said: "We were a close family and Stacey brought so much happiness to all our lives. Her twin sister Kelly has been really affected by it.

"People like Park need to realise that cars can be a deadly weapon and you can't simply get behind the wheel and do what he did."