Cocaine driver jailed for six years for killing woman in crash

Christopher Lynn was jailed for six years at the High Court in Edinburgh

A driver who took cocaine the day before he killed a woman in a three-vehicle crash in the Borders has been jailed for six years.

Christopher Lynn, 32, hit the back of a Vauxhall Astra driven by Yvonne Nichol - forcing it into the path of an oncoming vehicle on the A7 near the village of Ashkirk.

He admitted causing her death, and seriously injuring two others, by driving dangerously in August 2023.

The High Court in Edinburgh was told his reactions were "slow and impaired" after taking cocaine some time the day before the crash.

Lord Clark told Lynn he would have jailed him for eight years but this was reduced following his guilty plea.

He was found to be travelling at 66mph (106km/h) when his Ford Ranger pick up - which was subject to a 50mph (80km/h) speed limit - hit the Astra driven by 64-year-old Ms Nichol.

Lord Clark told him: "You were travelling at 81mph (130km/h) around five seconds or so prior to the collision with the white Astra."

Two others, driver Jacqueline Szoneberg and passenger Graham Clark, suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The judge said that victim impact statements prepared in the case were "harrowing" and showed the terrible effects of the crime.

He said he had taken into account in sentencing that Lynn was a first offender who had expressed genuine remorse for his actions.

Yvonne Nichol died from her injuries in hospital

Ms Nichol, from Hawick, was freed from her vehicle by firefighters and taken to Borders General Hospital where she died.

Defence counsel Victoria Dow said that Lynn came from a good background and maintained employment throughout his adult life.

She said: "He is, in my submission, a man who deeply regrets his behaviour that led to this devastating accident."

The court heard that Lynn was a director in a family business and his role was in groundwork, fire protection and health and safety.

Lord Clark banned him from driving for nine years and told him he would not be allowed to obtain a driving licence until he passed the extended test.