Methil man drove dangerously and seriously injured motorist

Greg Stewart, of Wellesley Road, appeared before Sheriff James Williamson at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

Stewart, 38, admitted that on August 16, 2020 on the A911 Glenrothes and Wellesley Road, Methil he caused serious injury to a man by driving a car dangerously and repeatedly entering the opposing carriageway, repeatedly leaving the road and mounting the pavement.

He also admitted repeatedly applying the brakes when not required to do so, repeatedly entering the opposing carriageway in the face of oncoming traffic, failing to keep a proper look out, losing control, and colliding with another car.

He further admitted on August 17 on Wellesley Road, Methil and Memorial Road, Methil driving a van while being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

The Procurator Fiscal Depute previously told the court witnesses saw him driving erratically on the A911 Glenrothes to Leven road, and called the police.

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"Twenty minutes later the complainer was driving on Wellesley Road to East Wemyss when he saw the accused on his side of the road. He tried to move to the left but the accused collided with him.” The court was told the complainer had a broken sternum, and was in hospital for eight days.

In relation to the second charge, the Procurator Fiscal Depute said the following day the accused was seen having difficulty negotiating a roundabout before hitting a lamppost.

He appeared to be disorientated. Police were called and found Co-codamol tablets.

His defence agent asked Sheriff Williamson to consider an alternative to jail as a custodial sentence would have a significant impact on his family as well as his business.

With regards to the offence on August 17, he said Stewart had misjudged the effect the medication he was given from the hospital would have on his ability to drive.

In terms of the offence on August 16 Stewart’s defence agent said his client had not been paying full attention when the door of a parked car opened and he ‘overswerved’, resulting in the accident.

Sheriff Williamson sentenced Stewart to 200 hours of unpaid work to be completed in 12 months and disqualified him from driving for two years.

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