Driver 'haunted' by RAF man's death gets unpaid work

A driver "haunted" by causing the death of a RAF serviceman has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Corporal David Thorne, 43, was fatally injured while riding his motorbike on the A96 at Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in March 2024.

Originally from Cwmbran in Wales, the aircraft technician had served at the RAF Lossiemouth base in Moray for more than 16 years. The married father-of-three had two grandchildren.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Amy Marcella, 33, admitted causing Thorne's death by careless driving by pulling out into his path in her car.

She was told to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 18 months.

The court heard the RAF serviceman's wife and parents had been travelling behind him in convoy at the time of the fatal accident.

The collision happened on the A96 Aberdeen to Elgin road, at its junction with the A920, on 5 March 2024.

Fiscal depute Harry Findlay said Marcella turned into Thorne's path.

Although the RAF serviceman managed to brake he did not have time to take effective action and was thrown from his motorbike when the vehicles collided.

Marcella was seen crying while resuscitation efforts were carried out but Thorne was pronounced dead at the scene.

"There was no fault on the part of David Thorne," the fiscal depute said of the crash.

He said the victim has been in the RAF since the age of 17, and had been told he was to be promoted to sergeant.

Marcella, of Huntly, admitted causing the serviceman's death by driving without due care and attention.

She also admitted driving without insurance, which the court heard was an offence which had been an oversight.

Defending, Simon Whyte said Marcella was "haunted" by what had happened and did not think it would ever leave her.

He also told the court it had not been a sustained course of bad driving.

Sheriff Ian Wallace said he wanted to express his condolences to Thorne's family and friends.

He said it was clear the RAF serviceman lived a full life and was a loving man.

The sheriff also described the victim impact statements as moving and eloquent.

"There is unfortunately nothing the court can do to make good this tragic loss," he added.

The sheriff said Marcella had shown remorse and had taken full responsibility for what had happened.

The sheriff also told the court that the incident was a reminder a lapse in concentration could have devastating consequences.

RAF Lossiemouth had previously said Thorne was on leave with his family when the accident happened.

At the time of the crash, Group Captain Jim Lee, the station commander, said: "All of us at RAF Lossiemouth are joined together in grief following the sad loss of one of our dear colleagues."

Squadron Leader Edward Owen said: "Dave was a highly respected leader and aircraft technician who had devoted himself to a life in the Royal Air Force.

"Dave will be sorely missed on the Squadron and across the wider Royal Air Force but will be remembered with fondness and great gratitude by those who had the pleasure of knowing and serving alongside him."