Driver killed cyclist a month after passing his test

A Glasgow University student who knocked down and killed a cycling tourist a month after passing his driving test has been given a community sentence.

Patricia Marshall was hit in front of her husband Reginald when Aly Albosati lost control of his car and spun across the road in Angus in June 2023.

The 27-year-old was banned from driving for 20 months, ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work and placed under supervision for a year.

Albosati admitted causing death by driving carelessly on the B965 Froickheim to Inverkeilor road. He also admitted injuring Mr Marshall.

The Marshalls, who were both aged in their 70s, were on a cycling holiday in Scotland when they were both knocked from their bikes by Albosati.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Albosati lost control of his car and started spinning on the quiet country road before careering directly into the couple's path.

Mrs Marshall suffered severe blunt force trauma injuries and was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, but doctors were unable to save her life.

Fiscal depute Paula Wedlock told the court that Albosati was driving a Ford Fiesta on a rural road during daylight hours.

She said Albosati was travelling south and the Marshalls were travelling north.

The fiscal told the court that the accused misjudged the bend and mounted the nearside grass verge, before crossing the carriageway.

She said: "Whilst rotating and out of control, the front corner collided firstly with the bike ridden by Mr Marshall, then the bike ridden by the deceased, causing both to be knocked off.

"He continued to rotate onto the grass verge. Mrs Marshall sustained significant injuries."

Solicitor Billie Rennie, defending, said Albosati was "horrified and appalled that his actions caused such a tragic outcome".

He continued: "Unfortunately, this seems to have caused him huge remorse and contributed to depression and mental health problems and he couldn't complete his course.

"The outcome of this has been weighing heavily upon him. He accepts it probably occurred because he was driving too fast for the road, however, he was within the speed limit."

Sheriff Paul Ralph told him: "She was 74 and had been happily married for 57 years at the time of her death.

"She was clearly a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

"It is clear her passing has had a devastating effect upon her family."