Driver killed couple in Montrose crash when drunk
- Published
A drunk driver who killed an elderly couple in a crash is facing jail after he admitted causing their deaths.
Alistair Ferrier drove despite having been denied more alcohol in a pub because he was too drunk.
He crashed into a car coming in the opposite direction near Montrose, Angus, killing the 69-year-old driver John Gibson and his wife Isobella, 68.
Temporary judge Edward Bowen QC remanded Ferrier in custody, and warned him he faced a lengthy jail sentence.
The crash happened in December 2008, after Ferrier had been drinking in the Anchor Bar.
The 30-year-old, from Arbroath, was cut from the wreckage of his black Vauxhall Astra after the crash, surviving multiple fractures to his legs, pelvis and arms.
Previous convictions
Police found he was almost three times over the drink drive limit.
A passenger in the Gibsons' car, 71-year-old Gertrude Massie, is still not able to walk properly because of the injuries she suffered in the crash, the High Court in Dundee heard.
The trio were heading home from a country dancing event in Arbroath.
Advocate depute John Scullion told the court that Ferrier had six previous convictions for driving offences - including driving while disqualified and with no insurance.
He said: "The accused spent the evening drinking in the Anchor Bar.
"Sometime after 9pm the accused had an argument with the witness Jennifer Watson.
"He was then informed he would not be served any more alcohol as he was drunk."
Mr Scullion said Ferrier and Ms Watson had returned to her home, where his car was parked.
The court heard that the accused overtook a taxi as he drove out of Montrose, travelling at an estimated 60 to 70 mph.
The advocate depute added: "There is no evidence to suggest any fault on the part of the deceased."
Ferrier pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of the couple, who had been married for 49 years. He will be sentenced on 24 November at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Speaking after the hearing, John and Isobella's children Kenneth, Malcolm and Shiona paid tribute to their parents, saying they were "pillars of Montrose".
Malcolm Gibson said: "We are going to get justice at long last.
"To lose two parents at Christmas was terrible. But Ferrier has never shown any remorse to us."