A woman who caused a crash which killed her "dear friend" has been ordered not to leave her home between 8pm and 7am by a sheriff.
Leanne Slesser, 21, died instantly when Megan Mitchell's car crashed into a country cottage on the A937 Marykirk to Laurencekirk road, in Aberdeenshire, on August 24, 2010.
Last month Mitchell, 20, admitted a charge of death by careless driving when she appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Mitchell, of Fordoun, in Aberdeenshire, was driving back from an appointment accompanied by Miss Slesser, who was in the front passenger seat, when she lost control of the black Vauxhall Corsa.
Sentencing Mitchell Sheriff Napier said: “It is important to recognise that whist the charge is not one of causing death through dangerous driving nonetheless you have accepted that you drove at excessive speed for the road layout and conditions allowing the vehicle to cross on to the wrong side of the road and collide with a cottage, causing significant damage to the vehicle and the cottage and injuring you and causing such significant injuries to your friend that she died from her injuries thus depriving her at such a young age of the years of her life she and those close to her had to look forward to. Nothing I do as far as sentence can alter that fact.
“As your agent says you will have to live with the consequences of your driving on that day; but so will her family as is clear from the victim impact statements which I was shown when the plea was first tendered.”
The sheriff said however that although the offence could carry a sentence of up to five years in jail “it is far from inevitable that a custodial sentence must follow conviction on such a charge”.
Miss Slesser, of Laurencekirk, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision and an investigation found that the car had gone into a skid after coming into contact with the grass verge.
The vehicle first collided with a garden wall before spinning off into the wall of the cottage.
He added: “In relation to the circumstances of the accident it is said that the way in which the accident unfolded is eloquent of an inexperienced driver - you had been driving only for around one year at the time. I also require to bear in mind that the injuries sustained by the deceased might not have been so serious had she not removed her seat belt.
“There are also a number of other personal factors which are relevant. Firstly the deceased was a colleague and friend. Secondly you were also injured in the accident. Thirdly you are assessed by the experienced social worker as showing genuine remorse and I have to say this remorse seems clear given your demeanour not just earlier today but on the other occasions you have been in court.
“From the supporting papers produced by your agent your recognition of your culpability is manifest not least in the attempt on your own life you have effectively already punished yourself; and you have accepted your guilt thus avoiding a trial.”
He said that a community based sentence was most appropriate and ordered Mitchell to under take 200 hours of community service and place on a restriction of livberty order for five months.
Mitchell was also disqualified from driving for four years and will have to retake her driving test.
The court previously heard the pair, both former Mearns Academy pupils, were employed as project workers at a community centre in Laurencekirk at the time of the incident.
Miss Slesser had hoped to join the ambulance service. She was one of the youngest members of the First Response team based in Laurencekirk.
Tributes from friends and colleagues poured in for the "bright and bubbly" project worker in the days after her death.
Money was raised at her funeral to help buy equipment for the emergency service support charity.
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