Driver who killed two soldiers has driving ban cut by a third

Private James Austin and Lance Sergeant David Gartland from Catterick died in the accident

A lorry driver who killed two soldiers by driving into the back of their vehicle could be back on the roads within two years, after his driving ban was cut by a third.

Colin Pattison was involved in an accident on the A66, which killed Private James Austin and Lance Sergeant David Gartland, both based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

They had survived an initial crash, after driving into smoke from a broken-down lorry. However, they were killed when Pattison then drove into the back of their Land Rover.

In October 2013, Pattison was jailed for 18 months and banned from driving for six years. On appeal, his prison sentence was upheld, but the driving ban was cut to two years.