Drunk footballer jailed for killing man in crash
- Published
Craig Forbes was more than twice the limit when he overtook another vehicle when it was unsafe
A drunk footballer has been jailed for four years after causing the death of a father in a crash in Inverclyde.
Craig Forbes, 23, struck David Horn's vehicle on the A78 on 15 October 2022.
The Largs Thistle player was more than twice the alcohol limit when he overtook another vehicle when it was unsafe, moments before the collision.
Both vehicles rotated after the point of impact, with the 59-year-old victim becoming trapped inside. He later died in hospital from his injuries.
Forbes was also disqualified from driving for seven years and he must sit the extended test at the end of the ban.
The junior footballer pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to causing Mr Horn's death by dangerous driving.
The court heard how Mr Horn was driving home in his Toyota Yaris, having dropped his daughter off in Greenock at 23:20.
Forbes had attended a wedding and was returning to Greenock in his Volkswagen Golf.
Shortly before the collision, Forbes overtook a car when it was unsafe to do so and collided with Mr Horn's vehicle.
A collision investigation determined that "it occurred as a result of Forbes, while impaired by alcohol, losing directional control of his car for an unknown reason.
"This caused the car to enter the southbound lane and strike the front of Mr Horn's car.
"Mr Horn had insufficient time to take evasive action. Forbes was solely to blame for the collision which caused Mr Horn's death."
Craig Forbes pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to causing Mr Horn's death by dangerous driving
Mr Horn was initially found trapped in his car by medics before he was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
He went into full cardiac arrest during the journey and CPR was carried out. But his condition did not improve and he died in hospital later that night .
Judge Douglas Brown said he he had to consider the injuries Forbes himself suffered, his early guilty plea and the young person's sentencing guidelines for offenders under 25.
The judge said he had read the victim impact statements from Mr Horn's wife of 24 years Jaqueline and his two children and concluded that the effect of Mr Horn's death was "devastating".
He said: "These statements in eloquent moving terms describe the impact his death had upon them.
"It is clear from what they say that he was a loving and hugely supportive husband and father.
"This has changed their lives forever and they have difficulty contemplating a future without him.
"Nothing the court can impose can realistically bring any significant comfort to them."
'Selfish decision'
In a statement after the sentencing, Mr Horn's wife Jacqueline said the family's lives had "changed forever."
She said: "This is due to a selfish decision made by Craig Forbes.
"This choice resulted in not only the death of my husband, but a father, son and friend of many.
"Now we have to live the rest of our lives without David and Craig Forbes will now be known as a killer.
"Although he has been sentenced today, we have been given a life sentence because of his actions that night, of which we will never forgive him."
Mr Horn, from Wemyss Bay, was described as "loving, caring and compassionate husband and father, and a ready, willing and true friend to many."
Forbes' football team Largs Thistle said they "believe in positive rehabilitation" and "support Craig in his ongoing progress as he learns to deal with the devastation he has caused".
Simon Gilbride, defending, said his client had paid for an Airbnb room near the wedding venue but "impulsively" left the wedding to drive home, which he would "regret for the rest of his life".
He said the consequences of his actions were "incredibly tragic".
He told the court: "One can imagine what his family have experienced and the loss that they must feel.
"At the wedding when drinking there was no intention at that point to go outside and drive that night.
"There was no consideration as to how much he was drinking at that point."