A DANGEROUS driver who killed an Edinburgh man in a high speed crash on the city’s Maybury Road has been sentenced to six years in prison.

The crash more than three years ago claimed the life of 29-year-old Edinburgh man Jonny Smith. His family and friends have been campaigning for justice ever since.

Ednilson De Ceita, 29, was convicted by a jury on October 29 of two offences under the Road Traffic Act following the crash which happened shortly after midnight on Friday, 25 May, 2018 on Maybury Road in Edinburgh.

Property firm manager De Ceita, of Western Harbour Way, Edinburgh, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance. He has also been disqualified from driving for nine years.

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De Ceita was driving a BMW X5 when he swerved into the path of the Peugeot 206 being driven by Jonny Smith who sustained a fatal head injury. Firefighters later recovered his body from the burned out car. De Ceita, his fiancee and their five-year-old daughter were all injured in the smash and required hospital treatment.

Smith’s family stated on their Facebook campaign page: “So we had our day in court today for the sentencing, was an apprehensive morning we all weren’t sure how to feel but we went, sat and watched the sentencing, he was given 6 years and a 9 year driving ban.

“In all honesty we were thinking less so I suppose it’s something, realistically it makes no difference nothing changes although if anything takes a dangerous driver off the road and might just save a life. He also decided to tell the court what an ordeal this had been for him and his family… remorse at its finest.

“It’s been a long 3 and a half years, so many twists and turns, so many ups and downs but throughout it all the support we have received is just unbelievable, looking back it has really helped us knowing we have had people behind us.

“As a family as a whole we would just like to thank every single person for all their nice words and support whether it was comments, messages or calls. We even had cards through the door at the start, it really has been outstanding. So from the bottom of all our hearts, we appreciate it and thank you and we will always remember how nice and supportive everyone has been, it means so much.”

Police are still hunting for the driver of a stolen grey Audi A3 with number plate SM17 EAK which De Ceita had swerved to avoid. According to local reports, it is believed to have been driven by a high-profile Edinburgh criminal figure and was in convoy with a silver hatchback when the tragedy occurred.

The Audi, which had been stolen from the Liberton area of Edinburgh on April 17, was found abandoned in Lochgelly Road in Cowdenbeath an hour after the fatal crash.

A criminal investigation was launched which saw detectives from Edinburgh’s Criminal Investigations Department working alongside Road Policing Officers to understand what happened.

As a result, De Ceita was arrested and charged in connection with the crash in August 2019.

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Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant said: “There were a number of complexities to this investigation but officers remained determined and committed to establish what caused this crash and cost Jonny his life.

“Ednilson De Ceita failed to admit that his actions resulted in this catastrophic event. We found that he was driving at excessive speed, ultimately swerving into oncoming traffic, which led to his BMW colliding with the Peugeot being driven by Mr Smith and another vehicle.

“Jonny’s family have had to wait over three years for justice. They have been dignified and resolute throughout and I hope that today’s verdict offers them some form of comfort.

“I’d like to thank my investigation team, our colleagues in the Road Policing Unit and other elements of the organisation who contributed to the outcome, but most importantly to Jonny’s family, friends, and the wider community which he was an integral part of, for their support during our investigation.”