A man who was banned from driving for seven years after a 100mph car crash near Banchory could soon get back behind the wheel.
Corey McAlpine, who was convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, has returned to court to have his disqualification cut short.
The 28-year-old was seriously injured when he slammed into a tree while tackling a series of bends between 108mph and 112mph.
It happened on the B9119 Tarland to Echt road by Midmar, Banchory, as McAlpine was “showing off” in his BMW M2.
He’d just been to a high-powered car show at Treetop Cafe on June 11 2017.
McAlpine required immediate emergency surgery and stayed in the hospital for several months, with surgeons saying he was “extremely lucky to have survived”.
His girlfriend, a passenger in the car, was also left with PTSD and constant back pain.
As well as the disqualification, McAlpine, whose address was given in court papers at the time as Cromlet Park, Invergordon, was handed a curfew and unpaid work.
But now, McAlpine has appeared back in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to make an application to have his seven-year driving ban removed early.
A police report said the service was not opposed to the removal of the disqualification, noting McAlpine “bore the brunt” of injuries suffered and stating it was a “lesson learned”.
McAlpine told the court about the impact the crash has had on him, describing his injuries as “life-changing” with a “slow recovery process”.
McAlpine wants to be ‘valued member of society’
He said: “Having been sentenced in January 2019, I complied fully with the restriction of liberty order and also completed the unpaid work with no problems”.
McAlpine added that he had completed the 150 hours in a charity shop in the space of three months.
He explained that he has struggled to get employment without a driving licence and that he wanted to be “a valued member of society once more”.
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin said: “I’m persuaded it’s appropriate to allow you to reapply for your licence,” and she added: “I wish you well”.
During the court hearing in 2019, fiscal depute Jamie Dunbar said McAlpine left the show in his car with his girlfriend before driving back and forth along the road at increasing speed.
At one point, he approached a blind bend at an estimated 108-112mph.
‘The accused had been showing off’
Mr Dunbar said: “It straddled the carriageway centre line as it entered the bend while braking.
“At this time, another car was approaching the same bend. It was suddenly confronted with the accused’s car.
“The other car had to take evasive action by swerving to the nearside to avoid a collision.
“The accused’s car lost control shortly after in a series of bends, left the carriageway and collided with trees.
“It left a trail of debris along the carriageway including a tree trunk.”
Mr Dunbar said witnesses “thought the accused had been showing off”, while his partner thought he “had been driving too fast”.
Crash investigators concluded the overriding factor in the collision was the “grossly excessive speed”.
Mr Dunbar said the car was “extensively damaged” and McAlpine and his passenger were trapped inside.
“In the opinion of the surgeon, McAlpine was extremely lucky to have survived,” he added.
McAlpine pled guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
His solicitor told the court: “He could not be more aware of how inappropriate his behaviour was. He is absolutely terrified of the prospect of custody”.
Sheriff McLaughlin said: “This is an utterly tragic case and the consequences are utterly devastating for the passenger in your car and yourself as well”.
She added that it was “sheer luck” that the consequences were not more serious.
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