Driver found guilty of causing young mum's death in fatal crash

A driver who killed his girlfriend is facing a jail sentence despite claiming the victim caused the fatal crash.

Steven Allan, 33, told jurors that Rebecca Sivyer, 23, grabbed the steering wheel of his Vauxhall Corsa shortly before the vehicle crashed into a tree on August 22, 2021.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Allan tell jurors that this was the first time he had made the revelation about the incident which led to Rebecca losing her life.

The court heard how Allan, from Alyth, had been travelling with the young mum on the A94 Perth to Forfar road in the moments before her death.

A jury heard how the delivery driver had used his mobile phone before he lost control of his car, causing it to cross onto the other side of the road before it struck a fence.

The court also heard that it had collided with a tree, causing Rebecca to be severely injured. She later died.

Despite police concluding there was enough evidence to show that Allan had broken the law, he denied any wrongdoing.

He told defence advocate Gary Allan KC: “She grabbed the steering wheel. I have kept it to myself for four years.”

Despite the claims made by Allan, jurors convicted him of causing Rebecca’s death by driving dangerously on Monday afternoon.

Judge Lady Carmichael heard defence lawyer Mark Moir KC – who appeared on behalf of Mr Allan – say that the accused appreciated that a custodial sentence would be at the “forefront” of her mind.

However, Lady Carmichael continued Allan’s bail and ordered a report to be prepared into his background.

She said: “I will permit you to remain at liberty. You will return to court in October.”

The story emerged following a week-long trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The collision took place approximately 50 metres north east of Viewbank Cottage, Coupar Angus, Perthshire.

The couple had recently started dating.

In evidence, Allan told the court of how Rebecca, who was known to her friends and family as Becca, was happy in the moments before the incident.

He said: “I had just booked a hotel for Aberdeen for the following Saturday night.”

Allan, who works as a delivery driver, told the court that it was Rebecca who caused the collision that killed her.

He said: “She grabbed the steering wheel.”

Mr Allan asked his client: “Are you able to help us with why she did that?”

Allan replied: “No.”

The advocate then asked: “Was it in the middle of a row?”

The accused replied: “No.”

Allan told the court that he wasn’t lying and he was giving a true account of what caused the collision.

He added: “It happened so fast.”

The defence lawyer then asked: “You must have got a fright?”

His client replied: “Possibly.”

Allan said he also suffered injuries in the collision and that he had spent three weeks in hospital and four months at home recovering.

Prosecutor Tracey Brown told the jury in her closing speech that the evidence pointed to Allan’s account being inaccurate.

She said that police had built a case which showed that he had been driving dangerously in the moments leading up to the collision, which claimed Rebecca’s life.

She added: “I invite you to reject the explanation offered by the accused. It did not happen.”

Following the conviction, it emerged that Allan did not have any previous convictions.

Mr Moir, who appeared on behalf of his colleague Mr Allan, asked for bail to be continued.

Lady Carmichael imposed an interim disqualification from driving on Allan, who works as a delivery driver, and allowed him to leave the dock.

Following the case, Rebecca’s family issued a statement through solicitors Digby Brown, who are “supporting” them with another legal matter against Allan.

Rebecca’s mum, Wendy Ghekis, said: “We are pleased the jury saw through Steven Allan’s attempt to avoid being held accountable for his actions, which cost our beloved Becca her life.

“We now hope the punishment reflects his lack of remorse for causing Becca’s death and his lack of respect for her grieving family.

“With every day that goes by, we are painfully reminded we won’t get to share life’s precious milestones with Becca.

“Her young daughter Millie has lost sharing the future with her mum.”

Allan will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 2, 2025.