Glasgow man admits to driving under the influence while banned

A banned driver who was almost four times the drink driving limit left two women screaming in pain after pinning them against a metal fence.

John Roberts, who was reversing at speed out of a parking space, smashed into Georgina Longmuir and Jeanette Docherty outside Glasgow Royal Infirmary on December 16, last year.

The 65-year-old ignored the women’s shouts for him to stop and they ended up trapped by their legs.

The women “cried out in pain', but Roberts just got out his Renault Clio and stared at them in a “bewildered state.”

He later told police : “If I can get through Christmas with my mother, I don’t care what happens.”

Roberts pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to dangerous driving and striking the two women, causing serious injury to Miss Longmuir.

He also admitted driving almost four times over the limit and driving while disqualified.

The court heard the women were near a car park and standing beside stationary vehicles.

Roberts’ Clio was spotted reversing out of a parking space directly opposite to the women.

Prosecutor Adele MacDonald said: “The women remained stationary as they believed the vehicle would deviate in its course.

“However, the vehicle continued to reverse directly across the roadway towards them and continued to gather speed.

“They had no time to react as the vehicle mounted the footpath and continued to reverse striking the women with its rear bumper.

“Both were struck on the legs and driven backwards towards the metal fence on the footpath until they were both pinned against it by the vehicle.”

An onlooker got inside the car and released the handbrake which allowed the woman to be freed.

A 999 call was made and they were taken inside the hospital for treatment.

Roberts was breathalysed at the scene and police also discovered he was banned from driving.

The two women were treated for injuries to their lower legs.

Miss Docherty experienced pain and tenderness while Miss Longmuir sustained a “crush injury” which aggravated a pre-existing knee replacement.

Miss MacDonald also told the hearing that Miss Longmuir has since died.

Sentence was deferred until next month by Sheriff Ian Miller who called for background reports.

Roberts, of the city’s Drygate area, had his bail continued meantime.

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