A man who caused the death of two 96-year-old World War II veterans who were on a day trip from their care home has avoided jail.
Jamie Lawson lost control of a grey Wall Steed pick-up when he took a left-hand bend on the A697, in Northumberland on October 4 2019.
The 21-year-old veered into the path of an oncoming Dacia Duster and collided with it at Wandysteads, close to New Moor House crossroads, near Edlingham.
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Tragically two of the four passengers in the Dacia - Pearl Smith, of Wooler, and James Johnston, of Amble, - died as a result of the crash.
Lawson initially denied two counts of causing death by careless driving but pleaded guilty to both charges on January 4 on the day of his trial.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the care home residents had visited the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum in Sunderland and then Blyth.
A care home worker who was driving the residents back to the care home in Wooler said Pearl had "fallen asleep with a smile on her face" and "must have had a good day".
However, their joyous day turned into tragedy after Lawson lost control of his vehicle, which he had only been driving for a week with work, and crashed into the Dacie Duster.
Prosecuting lawyer Andrew Finlay said the vehicle mounted the grass verge before veering across to the centre of the road and striking the front of the Dacia Duster.
Mr Finlay said the loss of control could have been caused by a number of factors including the speed the vehicle was travelling and the position of the vehicle.
However, police were unable to say what exactly caused the initial loss of control but Mr Finlay told the court all possible factors "were either in knowledge or control" of the defendant.
It's estimated Lawson was travelling between 55mph and 60mph around the bend on the 60mph road and 77mph as he drove down the road leading to where the crash site was.
In a victim impact statement, James Johnston's daughter said he was killed just 11 days before his 97th birthday.
At the age of 21, Mr Johnston volunteered for the 22nd Independent Parachute Company and was a D-Day veteran who was a pathfinder for the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.
He was awarded France's highest honour for his participation in the D-Day landings.
In a statement, his daughter said: "The plan was to work towards the Remembrance Day Parade in Sunderland in November where he was to be a guest of honour.
"His dreams of that were cut short by the actions of Mr Lawson ending not only the life of my father but his companion Pearl Smith.
"I have met the two surviving ladies who were with my father and I still see the emotion and anguish written on their faces."
Two of the carers suffered "life changing" injuries including broken bones, with one survivor saying she remembers "everything that happened daily".
In a statement, she said: "Since the accident, my life has changed.
"I remember everything that happened daily. Everyone else who was involved in the accident are so lucky not to be able to remember what happened as the impact on my mental health has been major."
A passenger in Lawson's vehicle was also seriously injured and said life will "never be the same again".
The statement read: "The incident has affected me greatly, I used to have a great life but now I feel like my life is ruined and will never be the same again.
"I know two people died in the incident, I wish it had been just me. This has emotionally scarred me for life.
"My family were told on three occasions I was going to die."
The court heard how Lawson was of previous good character with defending lawyer Richard Herrmann saying he feels "genuine and intense remorse" for what he did.
Judge Paul Sloan QC, The Recorder of Newcastle, said although Lawson was not travelling at grossly excessive speeds he was in "too much of a hurry".
He told him: "It is not suggested that you were exceeding the 60mph speed limit as you entered that bend but you were pretty close to it. You did not slow down sufficiently.
"I stress, not for one moment did you intend the catastrophic consequences which ensued. What occurred was not intentional or even reckless in the legal sense, but it was careless.
"There was an error of judgement on your part, rather than deliberate bad driving.
"No sentence I am permitted by law to impose upon you could even begin to ease the pain and suffering of the multiple surviving victims in this case.
"You will have to live for the rest of your life in the knowledge of the devastation you have wreaked."
The court also heard how Lawson lost his own father in a motorcycle accident.
Lawson, formerly of The Shorefield, Haydon Bridge, but now living on Aydon Cresent, in Corbridge, was given a six months prison sentence suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and was made subject to a four-month electrically monitored curfew.
Lawson was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.
