25 November 2011 Last updated at 07:12 ET

Driver Jack Parkes jailed for Mark Scott death crash

Mark Scott was killed in the crash on the A980 in May last year

A driver who admitted causing the death of a teenager in a car crash in Aberdeenshire has been jailed.

Jack Parkes, 20, of Banchory, lost control and crashed, leaving 19-year-old passenger Mark Scott, of Torphins, dead.

The crash happened on the A980 Alford to Banchory road in May last year.

Parkes was jailed for 32 months at the High Court in Edinburgh. Mr Scott's mother earlier said she had "lost everything of meaning" in her life.

Judge Lord Tyre, in his sentencing statement, told Parkes: "You have taken away all the years of life which he would have had and deprived his family and his friends of his company.

"Nothing I can say or do today can bring him back or provide any comfort for his family or the wider community of which he was a member."

Lord Tyre said he accepted that Parkes, who was also injured in the fatal crash, had suffered and that his remorse was genuine, but added: "There is no escaping you took someone's life."

Lost control

The court was previously told two cars had sped along the country road at more than 80mph.

Advocate depute Martin Macari said the blue Mini Cooper S hit a stone wall after mechanic Parkes lost control, spun across the road, overturned and came to rest in a field.

Mr Scott - who was about to start an apprenticeship as an aeronautical engineer - died at the scene.

Mr Macari said another driver, Robbie Merchant, 25, had been trying to keep up with the Mini and hit the debris from the crash.

Merchant, of Banchory, admitted driving dangerously. He was fined £600.

'Unbearable' loss

Defence QC Peter Gray said Parkes was "haunted" by what had happened and wanted the tragedy to be used as an example to educate others.

Lord Tyre also banned Parkes from driving for five years and Merchant for two years.

He had previously been told of the effect of Mr Scott's death on his family.

His mother, Dorothy-Anne Scott, said in a statement to the court: "Mark lost his life and I've lost everything of meaning in mine."

His father, Brian Scott, told the court: "There is not one day which passes where I don't think of him and miss him."

Mr Scott's grandfather, Peter Taylor, described him as his dearest friend and said his grandson's loss was "unbearable".

He described his grandson as "a fine, caring, sympathetic and cheerful young man of promise".