A security firm partner has been banned from driving after “blanking” a red light and knocking down an elderly woman at a pedestrian crossing.
George Douglas, 38, was going 40mph in a 30mph zone in a bid to overtake a bus on the A956 Ellon Road in Bridge of Don but failed to spot the traffic lights ahead at red.
A 66-year-old woman crossing on the green man was struck by Douglas’ silver Volkswagen Touran and left with serious injuries, including fractures and tendon damage.
Her injuries were so serious that a hospital-style bed had to be installed in her living room as she was unable to climb the stairs to her bedroom for more than a month.
Fiscal depute Jennifer Pritchard told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 10.40am on June 18 2021 at the pedestrian crossing north of Hutcheon Gardens.
Driver of the lorry sounded his horn
They pressed the button at the crossing and waited for the lights to change.
Once the lights went red and the green man activated they began to cross the road.
Ms Pritchard said Douglas was heading northbound and approached the crossing at around 40mph.
She continued: “The accused failed to slow for the lights or crossing on approach. As the accused passed an articulated lorry, the driver of the lorry sounded his horn to warn the accused that the traffic lights were red.
“At this point, the complainer and her friend had crossed to around the centre of the carriageway, between lanes one and two.
“The traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing had been red for approximately seven seconds.
“The accused began to brake harshly a short distance before reaching the crossing. He was unable to stop and collided with the complainer, knocking her to the nearside and causing her to land in lane one.
“The accused’s vehicle stopped a short distance beyond the crossing.”
Douglas sent flowers and apology
Members of the public rushed to help the injured woman and emergency services arrived shortly afterwards.
Douglas told police officers he took full responsibility and that he had “seen a red light at the last minute and tried to swerve to avoid the complainer”.
The woman was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she was found to have a laceration to her left elbow and damage to a tendon in her left arm which required surgery and a cast.
She also suffered two metatarsal fractures in her left foot.
While she was in hospital, Douglas sent her flowers and a note apologising and wishing her well.
After being discharged, she needed the assistance of an occupational therapist and had a hospital-style bed installed in her living room for more than a month as she could not climb the stairs to her own bed.
‘It’s a difficult piece of driving to explain’
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard her recovery was “slow” and she relied heavily on her husband to look after her.
She also had 13 weeks of physiotherapy sessions paid for by Douglas’ insurance company.
Douglas, of Eigie Crescent, Balmedie, pled guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Defence agent Michael Burnett said: “It goes without saying it’s a matter of deep regret to Mr Douglas.
“He’s genuinely remorseful and quite concerned about what took place.”
Mr Burnett went on: “It’s a difficult piece of driving to explain.
“He had the intention of getting in front of a lorry and bus in the left lane and he focused on that and somehow he’s blanked that there’s a red light.
“He remained at the scene and complied fully with the police.
“He sent flowers and an apology note to the complainer in hospital.
“It would have been better had this not happened at all, but, it having happened, he could not have conducted himself better or handled the matter better after that.”
Sheriff Ian Wallace said it was “fortunate” the consequences of the incident were not even more serious.
He banned Douglas from driving for two years and ordered him to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
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