Fatal crash driver handed community payback order

A driver who caused the death of a woman in a head-on collision on the A75 in southern Scotland has been given a community payback order.

Mary Reeves, 67, of Kirkcudbright, died as a result of the crash on the road between Castle Douglas and Bridge of Dee in May 2025.

Cameron Benson, 20, of Castle Douglas, had previously admitted a careless driving charge at Dumfries Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Euan Cameron said nothing would compensate for Reeves' death and the appalling loss to her family.

He ordered Benson to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for 28 months, backdated to the end of July.

The sheriff said Benson had suffered a momentary lapse of attention when he lost control of the Seat Ibiza on a corner.

The vehicle then crossed the carriageway into the path of Reeves' Ford Ka.

The court was told that Benson, who had no previous convictions, also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

It also heard that his mental health had been considerably affected.

In a statement, released by her law firm Digby Brown at the time of Benson's guilty plea, Reeves' daughter said she wanted to focus on remembering her mother rather than how she died.

Andrea Reeves said: "My mum was a loving, caring mother.

"She was kind, gentle, funny, generous, hardworking, and she always put others before herself.

"She deserves to be remembered for who she was and not by how her life ended."