A show-off Angus driver jailed after a high-speed crash which left a 15-year-old with a fractured skull has lost his bid to regain his licence.
Eoin Duncan was sent behind bars for 30 months in 2016 for dangerous driving on roads near Carnoustie which ended in disaster after the teen – who was not wearing a seatbelt – was catapulted through the rear window when the powerful Honda Civic Type R smashed into a tree.
Duncan had just bought the car and took friends out in it, but there were not enough seatbelts in the back of the hatchback.
He returned to Forfar Sheriff Court this week where his application for restoration of his driving licence called before the same sheriff.
The five-year ban is not due to expire until early 2021.
Solicitor Angela McLardy said there had been significant changes in the accused’s life and although the lack of a licence presented difficulties in Duncan getting to his job, it was not the case that he would lose it without being able to drive.
Sheriff Murray said: “Your client knows very well what I think of him and what he did, and the standard of his driving.
“I would not be unsympathetic to him getting his licence back if he was going to lose his job.
“At the moment he might have unsocial working hours, but the standard of driving dictates that a significant ban is imposed.
“I am happy to continue consideration (for restoration of the licence), but nothing else makes me believe that he requires the licence back at this time.”
The matter was continued for six months.
In 2016 court heard the vehicle had been airborne during the blast on various rural roads near the Angus town in March 2014.
One passenger had boasted it hit 145 miles per hour before the crash, which left the teenage victim in intensive care for a week after suffering the life-threatening fractured skull and bruising on the brain.
A jury found Duncan, of Caesar Avenue, Carnoustie, guilty of dangerous driving and the then 22-year-old was heavily criticised by Forfar sheriff Gregor Murray for having gone out with what the judge said was the sole intention of “showing off”.
