An Italian tourist has been jailed for causing the deaths of five people, including his four-year-old son, in a crash in Scotland in 2018. 

Five people died when Alfredo Ciociola, 50, drifted into oncoming traffic on the A96 while driving from Edinburgh to Inverness on 26 July 2018.

Ciociola was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at the High Court in Livingston after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

His minibus drifted into the oncoming path of Morag Smith’s car, causing the deaths of all three passengers and injuring Ms Smith, who had been driving her friends back from a line dancing club.

Edward Reid, 63, Evalyn Collie, 69, and Audrey Appleby, 70,all died in the crash.

Ciociola’s friend Frances Saliba and four-year-old son Lorenzo were also killed. The other people in the minibus were injured.

The crash happened at about 11.50pm, on the Huntly to Keith Road.

Ciociola was extradited to Scotland from Sicily after he did not appear for trial in August 2021.

He appealed but his return to Scotland was ordered by the Supreme Court of Sicily.

David Green, procurator fiscal for homicide and major crime said: “This case shows the truly tragic consequences of careless and criminal driving and the devastating effect it has on so many lives.

“Alfredo Ciociola’s refusal to come back to Scotland to face the consequences of his actions earlier caused those affected more distress.

“I would like to thank the police, our International Co-operation Unit and Italian authorities for their cooperation and commitment to the effective and fair administration of justice.

“My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died as they try to cope with such terrible loss.”

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