A teenage mechanic who was scarred for life and injured his friends in a crash has been banned from the road for two years.
Neil Mackintosh was giving four other teenagers a lift when he lost control of his car while speeding on a minor road near Aviemore.
The car hit a wall, and Mackintosh and Craig MacDonald were seriously injured. Two of the other three passengers were also hurt.
As the 19-year-old appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday still bearing the scars of the crash.
His defence lawyer said he will be reminded of that dreadful moment every time he looks in the mirror.
Mackintosh, of Meadowrise, Gordon Hall, Kingussie, previously admitting that on 23 September, 2014, on the B9512 at Dalraddy, he caused serious injury to himself and Craig MacDonald by driving a Honda Civic dangerously at excessive speed and failing to negotiate a bend.
The charge went on to state that Mackintosh lost control, collided with a wall and left the carriageway causing damage to the vehicle and injured a teenage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Dylan Hossack.
All of Mackintosh’s passengers, apart from the girl, who was aged 16, were 17 at the time.
Sheriff David Sutherland sentenced the teenager to 180 hours of unpaid community work and banned him from driving for two years after deferring for a background report.
He told Mackintosh: “Clearly this could have had far worse consequences. We could have been dealing with deaths but you are very mindful of what could have happened.”
Defence lawyer Neil Wilson said: “He accepts full culpability for this. But he won’t lose his job despite the inevitable disqualification because his employers have a high opinion of him and his work ethic.
“He appears to be a model citizen apart from one moment of foolishness. He came out worst in the accident and he is genuinely remorseful.
“All of those who were in the car were his friends and they continue to keep contact. He crashed his car with dreadful consequences and they will live with him for the rest of his life.
“Also he will be reminded of it every time he looks in the mirror.”
