A BANNED driver who caused three cars to be written off after crashing got out of his vehicle and walked away.
Jonathan Murray lost control of his black BMW when driving on Kilmarnock Road in Glasgow’s Southside on February 6, 2020.
The 42-year-old caused his vehicle to spin out of control and hit three parked cars at 10.30pm.
This resulted in a Ford Focus being written off to the value of £30,000, a Mazda to be written off to the value of £6,700 and £500 worth of damage to an Audi.
His own car also had to be written off.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Murray was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, and losing control of his car resulting in it striking three vehicles, causing extensive damage.
The prosecutor said: “A witness who observed the collision take place was within a vehicle on the road.
“He alighted from his vehicle to go to the aid of the accused, but the accused alighted from the BMW and proceeded to walk.
“The owners of the vehicles returned to the cars and observed that the damage was new. Police attended and observed the BMW had extensive damage. Enquiries were carried out."
The court heard that the accused told cops he sold the vehicle, however, he was arrested months later after enquiries, including various DNA checks.
Murray’s lawyer revealed his client was disqualified two weeks before the incident.
He said: “January 23, 2020, is when he was convicted. That’s the last court conviction on his record.
“He was disqualified for 18 months then ordered to carry out unpaid work. He completed that without any problems.
“He was placed within the parks department and enjoyed it. He has nothing else outstanding.
“He hasn’t required a vehicle since the incident and hasn’t driven since then. He doesn’t own a vehicle and doesn’t have any intentions of doing so again.
“He lives with his mother and has been her carer for 15 years. He suffers from bad mental health. He consumes alcohol at quite a significant level and acknowledges that remains problematic for him.
"He made a self-referral to an alcohol service. He would be suitable for a community-based disposal. He gained benefit from the previous unpaid work order. I'm asking you to consider that.”
Sheriff Bernard Ablett said: “There is a decision to be made here. Imprisonment could be open to the court.”
Murray was disqualified from driving for 23 months, placed under social work supervision for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
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