A Mearns man has been found guilty of causing a pensioner’s death by driving dangerously with his girlfriend on his knee.
Kylie Johnston was learning to drive on Nathaniel Cooper’s knee when the car spun out of control and careered into the side of a static caravan.
The silver Daihatsu Terio collided with 65-year-old Andrew MacKay who was on holiday at East Balthangie Caravan Park in Cuminestown.
Mr MacKay was pinned, and died from chest injuries within minutes.
A jury of eight men and seven women took an hour to find Cooper, of Queens Road, Inverbervie, guilty by majority at the High Court in Aberdeen.
Lord Stewart told jurors the case was the first of its kind in the UK.
He said: “This has been a difficult case for all involved.
“The word ‘tragedy’ is rather too frequently used but this case seems to be a real tragedy.”
Earlier this year Johnston, of Newbigging Drive, Stonehaven, admitted causing Mr MacKay’s death by driving dangerously on July 21 2013.
Cooper’s former partner accepted she had controlled the steering wheel as the car crossed a grassy area and crashed through a fence.
But she asserted Cooper had also been in control in the moments before the crash.
Last week Cooper went on trial, also charged with causing Mr MacKay’s death by driving dangerously.
It was alleged he was controlling the accelerator, brake and clutch at the time of the crash while Johnston operated the steering wheel.
Johnston claimed Cooper grabbed the steering wheel after the car veered too close to the campsite toilet block and said the car went out of control.
The 4×4 accelerated, crashed through a fence then struck Mr MacKay who had gone out for some fresh air because he had been cutting onions.
The retired plumber, who regularly stayed at his holiday home with his partner Mary Dobbin, was then found lying face down on the ground with his upper body trapped by the caravan chassis.
Lord Stewart deferred sentence until May 8 for background reports at the High Court in Glasgow.