A Perthshire driver who left a 14-year-old boy with horrendous injuries after ploughing into a parked car has avoided a jail term.
Peter Hutchison’s victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left in intensive care for two days and is still suffering nightmares and flashbacks.
Hutchison picked up the boy and two other passengers in his Vauxhall Corsa on July 11 last year around 10pm.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Hutchison was driving at “excessive speed” when the car went into a spin – smashing into a parked car before becoming lodged in a tree.
A sheriff ordered Hutchison to pay £3000 in compensation to his victims.
Fiscal depute Saima Rasheed told Dundee Sheriff Court: “The car was extensively damaged and pushed around 10 metres down the road.
“Two of the passengers left the area but the 14-year-old was within the car and the accused then approached emergency services when they attended.
“They were both taken to Ninewells, where the accused was discharged.
“The 14-year-old had a ruptured spleen, a broken pelvis and a torn lung and was taken to the surgical high dependence unit.
“He spent two days in the HDU in total. Police checked with him last week and he stated he still has pain and stiffness in his legs and back.
“He suffers nightmares and becomes frightened to move. Several marks on his back remain visible.”
Hutchison, 19, of James Blair Close, Errol, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving on July 11 2015 at Blackness Road and Dura Street, Dundee.
Defence solicitor David Duncan said: “He recognises that this is an offence that could merit custody.
“He is an individual with genuine prospects and he comes from a supportive family. There is a robust community disposal available.”
Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC imposed a community payback order with 230 hours of unpaid work and two years’ supervision.
He was also ordered to pay £2500 in compensation to the 14-year-old and £500 to the other victim.
The sheriff said: “You were driving dangerously over an hour or so. That’s very serious.
“I have no doubt in my mind this is a very serious offence that warrants custody, but I am persuaded that I can deal with this by imposing a robust community payback order.”