An estate worker who caused the death of a Dundee man and fled from the scene after driving dangerously on a country road has been jailed.
Head gamekeeper Jonathan Graham – know as Jonny – was thrown from the car when it left the road near the shoreline of a sea loch in the Ormsary area of Argyll.
The 37-year-old – originally from Dundee – and fellow passenger Jasmine Herron, 19, were both killed in the tragedy in January 2020.
The car’s driver, Jordan Lawrence, 25, had been drinking at a party for the end of the shooting season at Ormsary Estate, near Lochgilphead, when he lost control of the vehicle near the single track B8024.
‘Plainly tragic for all concerned’
Lawrence had denied causing the deaths by driving dangerously on January 25 and 26 2020 but was convicted following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He drove while unfit through the consumption of alcohol, at excessive speed and failed to maintain observations.
He lost control of the car and it left the roadway, struck a boulder and became airborne.
Lawrence, of Low Bowhill Farm, Newmilns, in Ayrshire, was also convicted of failing to report the accident.
Judge Lord Beckett told the first offender the crash was “plainly tragic for all concerned.”
He remanded Lawrence in custody while a background report is prepared on him ahead of sentencing.
The judge told jurors it was not an easy trial as it was “a deeply tragic event” which had a huge impact on a small community.
Family statement
In a statement released through Digby Brown Solicitors Jonny’s wife paid tribute to her husband.
Anna Graham, 34, who was with Jonny for five years and had three boys together, said: “The loss of Jonny has been truly devastating for us all.
“He was a loving husband and father and we feel his absence every day.
“In all honesty, the outcome of the trial has no real bearing on our lives as no legal outcome will every replace Jonny or address the pain and loss we’ve suffered.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last few years but now just request that me and my family is left alone as we look to the future.”
Left party at speed
Gamekeeper James Reid, 40, said an end of season pheasant shoot had been organised for that weekend, known as ‘Keepers’ Day’.
He said: “It is mainly for people who have helped on shoots throughout the year.
“It is a bit of a social get-together to celebrate the end of the year and all the work that has gone into it.”
He said he and Mr Graham, who lived at the gamekeeper’s cottage with his wife and three boys, were running the event and Lawrence, who worked on the estate at the time, came to the after shoot party at a village hall.
The court heard evidence Lawrence arrived at the party with a pack of Stella Artois lager and drank shots of whisky, vodka and gin.
As he left with Miss Herron and Mr Graham in his car, witnesses said he appeared to be driving very fast.
One said: “It just zoomed past.”
Tragic victims found next morning
The following morning he returned to the hall to make sure everything was in order and it was secured.
He was returning home when he saw a car on the shore off the B8024 and recognised it as Lawrence’s vehicle.
Mr Reid said: “It was well down the beach facing out to sea.”
He added that the vehicle was “a wreck”.
He then realised Mr Graham was lying, dead, on his back.
He went home and emergency services were contacted, before he returned to the beach with his partner Lisa McShane who realised Miss Herron was also dead.
She said she was concerned because she could not see Lawrence.
She said: “I knew they were together and I thought he could possibly be lying dead somewhere as well.”
‘Holed up in his house’
Advocate depute Graeme Jessop said the evidence pointed to Lawrence driving too fast while he was impaired by alcohol and losing control of the car at a point where there was no obvious hazard in the roadway.
The prosecutor said: “He made off from the scene and holed up in his house.
“Why? Is one obvious explanation that he was trying to avoid detection by the authorities until such time as he sobered up.”
Mr Jessop said: “He went home and lay low until the police found him.”
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