Former football coach cleared of hitting egg-throwing teen with car
Daniel Gormal allegedly drove at speed towards the 14-year-old
Last updated 6th Jul 2023
A former football coach has been cleared of running over a teenager who threw an egg at his car.
Daniel Gormal, 26, was accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, on August 2, 2021.
Gormal was alleged to have driven at speed towards the 14-year-old and two other boys.
The boy told jurors that he and his friends were out on bikes and had bought eggs to throw at cars.
The now 16-year-old stated that he threw an egg which hit the bonnet of Gormal's car.
He said that the car followed him before coming to a slow stop.
The boy claimed that he cycled away quickly but the car "continued towards us."
Prosecutor Jessica McGowan asked him for the first thing he remembered after coming off his bike.
He replied: "Just lying on the ground on my back on the pavement."
Miss McGowan asked if he felt the car hitting him.
He replied: "I can't remember."
The boy was taken to hospital where he was put in a cast.
Callum Drummond, defending, asked the boy if he could remember if he was hit by the car.
He replied: "I can't remember."
A joint minute of agreement read to jurors stated that he suffered a fractured wrist in two places and lost bone fragment on his elbow.
Gormal, now an asbestos remover, stated he knew the boys from being their football coach.
He claimed he was "shocked" after the egg was thrown on his car windscreen.
Gormal stated that he tried to clear the windscreen with the wipers and spray but it "just scrambled it."
He claimed that he veered on the road after the egg made contact.
Gormal said: "I felt something under my car, that was when I stopped."
He stated that he saw one of the boys run away while looking out of a clear part of the windscreen.
Mr Drummond asked his client if he deliberately pursued the boys to cause them harm.
He replied: "Definitely not."
Gormal stated that he was told by the boy's father that he had hit his son before going to the police station.
Gormal, of Kirkintilloch, was found not proven for the single charge.
He thanked the jury while leaving the dock.
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