Hawick teenager sentenced over crash in which friend died
A Hawick teenager has been ordered to be detained for 20 months after admitting causing his friend's death by driving dangerously on a Borders road.
Aaron Murphy, 19, started overtaking a line of traffic before his Seat Ibiza mounted a verge, hit a road sign and ended in a field after he lost control.
Dale Whillans, 18, died after the accident on 6 April last year.
A judge told Murphy at the High Court in Edinburgh: "This is a sad and tragic case for all concerned."
Lady Wolffe said Murphy was "deeply remorseful" but added: "I am satisfied there is no alternative to a custodial sentence."
The judge said she would have jailed him for 30 months for the offence, but for his guilty plea. She banned him from driving for six years.
First offender Murphy was aged 18 at the time of the accident which claimed the life of talented footballer Mr Whillans.
He had previously admitted causing his friend's death by driving dangerously on the A698 Hawick to Jedburgh road.