A speeding drink-driver caused “catastrophic” damage to a Carnoustie house when he smashed through its front.
Fortunately, the house on the corner of Tayside Street and Norries Road was empty when Simon Hart ploughed into it on the evening of April 15 last year.
Neighbours saw his private-plated car speeding along the 20mph road and labelled his driving as “idiotic”.
Hart admitted he had been travelling at, potentially, more than double the speed limit, then failed a drink drive test – for the fourth time in his life.
He was uninjured but the house will cost at least £47,000 to repair, Forfar Sheriff Court heard.
Speeding admission
Fiscal depute Duncan McKenzie said: “At around 7.45pm, witnesses were within an address nearby.
“They heard the sound of a car travelling at speed from the direction of Tayside Street.
“They looked out and observed the accused’s vehicle travelling eastwards whilst in excess of the speed limit, which was 20mph.
“They were of the opinion that the nature of the driving at that point was idiotic.”
Shortly after, they heard a loud bang.
Another neighbour, who lives in the house adjoining that struck by Hart saw him collide with the building, causing “extensive damage” before coming to a stop, with the airbags activated.
The neighbour came out to check on him and he was able to climb from the vehicle uninjured.
Mr McKenzie said Hart stated: “I didn’t see the corner.
“I was speeding.
“In all fairness, I must have been doing 40mph or 50mph.”
Costs expected to rise
Police, ambulance and a fire crew all attended.
Mr McKenzie said: “He’d collided with the front window and door area, causing catastrophic structural damage to it.
“A large portion of the external wall had been obliterated.
“The officers were of the opinion that the structural integrity of the building may be compromised.
“The local authority were asked to send out a structural engineer.”
Due to the collision, a number of other houses in the street suffered a power cut.
Insurers were later contacted to assess the cost of repairs.
“The current estimate is in excess of £47,000 but it expected to rise considerably,” Mr McKenzie added.
Hart failed a roadside alcohol test and was taken to West Bell Street HQ where a urine sample taken more than two and a half hours after the crash showed an alcohol reading of almost three times the limit (192mgs/ 67).
Expects to be sacked
Hart, 42, of South Esk Street in Montrose, admitted driving with excess alcohol.
His plea of not guilty to driving dangerously was accepted.
His solicitor explained that next month, Hart will begin work offshore near Shetland.
He said: “Mr Hart works, or was working, as a groundworker and won’t be able to do that any longer.
“I think his employer will sack him.
“He has generally had a good work ethic and he’s made efforts to try and get another job.
“He hasn’t drunk anything since this day.”
‘Catastrophic’ consequences
Sheriff Derek Reekie deferred sentencing until February 29 for reports and an interim driving ban was imposed.
The sheriff noted Hart has three previous drink-driving convictions, the last from 2007.
He said: “He seems to have nothing on his licence at the moment and no road traffic matters since 2008.
“The consequences were catastrophic and could have been even more serious.
“This is an extremely serious matter.”
The crash was one of a spate in Carnoustie, including one which resulted in a fatality, which prompted safety calls from local people.
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