A drink driver who crashed into a taxi on New Year’s Day leaving passengers injured has been jailed for three years.
The crash happened shortly after Kamil Patora headed home after being out celebrating Hogmanay with his girlfriend.
His partner went to bed but he decided to get behind the wheel of a car to go and visit a friend.
After hitting speeds of up to 70mph on Riverside Drive, he came round a bend and hit the taxi on the other side of the road.
Passengers Lloyd Jack, Christopher Dick, Michael Everett and Ruari Gray were on their way to Portlethen when the collision happened in Aberdeen and were all injured.
When emergency service workers arrived at the scene, they found a bottle of vodka only a quarter full in Patora’s car.
He was arrested and a breathalyser test recorded 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Patora admitted a charge of dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Ross spoke of the impact the crash had on the passengers.
She said Mr Gray and Mr Jack had been forced to delay their graduation at university because of their injuries.
She also said some passengers had suffered whiplash and had been through therapy to overcome recurring nightmares about the incident.
The taxi driver, Derek Moir, also had to pay money out of his own pocket.
She added: “The taxi worth £27,000 was written off but Mr Patora’s insurance accepted responsibility so Mr Moir only lost £1,500.”
Representing Patora, whose address was given as Hollybank Place in Aberdeen, defence agent David Sutherland said he regretted the incident.
He said: “My client came to Scotland from Poland in May 2015 in the hope and expectation of better prospects.
“He has worked as a driver and a car valet.
“He expresses regret and remorse for his conduct.”
Sheriff Graeme Buchanan sentenced the 28-year-old to three years in prison and banned him from driving for six years.
