THE parents of a 19-year-old road accident victim have told of their relief that a court case against a driver involved in the accident is finally over.

Mechanic Raymond Reed, 34, of Regent Green, Langley Moor, near Durham City, was found guilty of careless driving by Peterlee magistrates, despite denying the charge.

He was fined £1,800, with £200 costs and six penalty points on his driving licence.

Last night, the parents of Michael Rivett, who died in the accident on the A690, north of Durham City, in May last year, said they were satisfied with the sentence.

Michael, a student at Sunderland University, was on his way to Durham when he was forced to swerve violently to avoid Reed's Vauxhall Vectra, which was travelling in the same direction but more slowly, and crossed into the overtaking lane in front of him.

Michael swung through barriers in the central reservation, on to the northbound carriageway, and hit an oncoming Citroen Saxo.

Saxo occupants James Doughty, 21, and Rachel Cox, 20, both of Chester-le-Street, were injured in the crash.

Michael's parents, Frank and Pauline, both 54, said they were relieved the inquest and court case were finally over.

Mrs Rivett said: "This has taken a long time to get to court, but now it is finished at last and we are content with the verdict."

Michael attended Durham's Belmont Comprehensive and Sixth Form College and had recently completed his first year studying electrical engineering and electronics at Sunderland University.