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| Canal death crash driver jailed | Canal death crash driver jailed |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A drunk-driver who crashed a stolen car into a canal causing the death of his ex-girlfriend's 15-year-old brother has been jailed for five-and-a-half years. | |
| Paul Gray, 21, of Dunblane, twice told rescuers there was no-one else in the car but the body of Gary McBride was later found in the submerged vehicle. | |
| The incident happened at a bridge over the Union Canal at Almond Road, Muiravonside, Falkirk, on 20 September. | |
| Passing sentence, the judge said Gray's behaviour was "grossly irresponsible". | |
| At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Hodge said Gray's actions had caused lasting heartache to the McBride family. | |
| Gray had earlier admitted causing death by dangerous driving. | |
| Knocked unconscious | |
| The High Court in Glasgow had previously heard that as well as denying there was anyone else in the car, Gray gave a false name to rescuers. | |
| After spending five days in hospital, he also made false claims that the teenager Mr McBride was driving at the time. | |
| Gray was trapped for 50 minutes until firefighters cut him free. | |
| The body of Gary McBride, who lived at Hillside Terrace, Westquarter, Falkirk, was found floating in the back of the upturned Fiat by a police frogman. | |
| The court heard that he had drowned within two minutes after being knocked unconscious. | |
| Gray, who had never possessed a driving licence, also admitted driving at an excessive speed while he was under the influence of alcohol. |