A MAN was killed at a caravan park after a driver let his girlfriend steer the car while he was operating the pedals, a court has heard.
Nathaniel Cooper allegedly struck Andrew MacKay, 65, after losing control of the vehicle in East Balthangie Caravan Park at Cumineston, near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, on July 21, 2013.
The 30-year-old, who denies an allegation of causing death by dangerous driving, is claimed to have been operating the clutch, brake and accelerator while Kylie Johnston, 26, steered from the passenger seat.
Miss Johnston, 26, is then said to have moved across to sit on his lap and driven the car without a licence.
The charge against Mr Cooper states that the vehicle accelerated and crossed a patch of grass before crashing through a fence and colliding with Mr MacKay. He was standing in front of a caravan when he was struck and ended up so severely injured that he died.
Mr Mackay's partner of 23 years gave evidence at the High Court in Aberdeen yesterday.
Mary Dobbin, who lives in the Glasgow area, said she was sitting in the couple's static caravan reading a book when the car crashed into it.
She said her 65-year-old partner had stepped outside to get fresh air after cutting up onions while preparing their dinner.
Moments later there was a loud noise and dishes fell out of the cupboard and smashed on the floor. She felt the caravan move and she struggled to stand up.
Ms Dobbin said she ran out, shouting after her partner, and when she got to the door she saw a car "embedded" in it.
Caravan park owner John Burdon, 61, dashed to the crash scene with his wife Anna as soon as they heard the noise. He told the court that Mr Cooper and his girlfriend were standing outside the 4X4 vehicle.
He said: "She actually said to me 'I'm sorry'.
"She was very shocked and distressed."
The jury heard that he later told the police in a statement that he had asked Mr Cooper what had happened.
He said Mr Cooper explained that he was letting his girl have a shot of the car and she put her foot on the accelerator instead of the brake.
Judge Lord Stewart informed the jury that Miss Johnston had also faced the same death by dangerous charge.
But he said that she was no longer facing trial because she had lodged a plea with the Crown which was accepted.
The trial continues.
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