Man accused of killing 'loving mum' and four ponies in head-on crash

A van driver is to stand trial charged with killing a woman in a head-on crash.

James Graham allegedly struck a Mercedes A-Class in which Lesley McTear, 59, was a passenger on the A737 road in Howwood, Renfrewshire, on September 23, 2024.

It is claimed Graham, of Ayr, was driving at 75mph in a 50mph limit while it was dark and with poor visibility.

Prosecutors state the 61-year-old failed to keep proper observations on the road ahead or react to warning signals for an oncoming vehicle.

The indictment further alleges Graham did not spot a herd of ponies, eventually causing his van to hit the animals.

It is said he lost control, went onto the wrong side of the road and then collided with the oncoming car Lesley was in.

This vehicle was pushed backwards and mounted a grass verge.

Lesley, of Dreghorn, Ayrshire, was left so badly hurt that she passed away. Two other people in the car were also injured.

Four of the ponies died from being hit.

The case against Graham called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, where his legal team pleaded not guilty on his behalf to a charge of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

A trial was fixed, and it is scheduled to begin in December 2027. The case could last around five days.

Graham remains on bail.

Lesley’s grieving relatives released a statement shortly after her death.

In it, they said: “Lesley was a loving wife, mother, grandma and daughter-in-law.

“As a family, we are deeply saddened by the events that have caused such a void in our family.

“Lesley was the glue that kept us all together, and anyone who was lucky enough to know her was showered by her unconditional love.”