A New Year drunken hit and run motorist who returned home to get his car in a “rage” and hit two women with his vehicle throwing one of them in the air has been jailed.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how Neil Wylie, 52, of Strathmore Street, Perth, was so drunk when he hit the women just after the bells at New Year he couldn’t remember where the horrific incident had taken place.
Ailsa Howden, 19, and her friend Necole Stewart, 20, had been crossing George Street, Perth, when Wylie collided with them leaving both with serious injuries and then he drove off.
Miss Howden suffered a suspected broken nose, severe whiplash injuries and concussion, while Miss Stewart had a gash on her right thigh that required 16 stitches.
Depute fiscal Chris McIntosh told the court that Miss Howden and Miss Stewart had both been out socialising in Perth when they were aware of a car coming towards them on the corner of the High Street and George Street at 12.35am on New Year’s Day.
“At first the car appeared to slow down, but the women then heard the engine revving up and the car collided with them,” he said.
“Both women were struck by the car and Miss Stewart was thrown into the air and hit the bonnet. The accused failed to stop and continued along the road.”
The court heard that Wylie was seen on CCTV cameras and police later traced him where they established his car had damage to the bumper and a headlight.
When interviewed by officers, Wylie told them, “I can’t remember this I must have been so drunk.”
Solicitor Rosie Scott, defending, said her client regretted the incident and was “under no illusion” that he could face prison.
“My client went back home to get his car as he wanted to confront a bar steward who had asked him to leave a pub earlier that night,” she said. “This incident put him in a rage.
“My client might have stopped if he had not been so drunk. He feels these girls should be compensated for their injuries.”
Prior to Wylie being charged, Miss Howden had previously told The Courier the former Perth Grammar School pupils were about to visit a friend’s flat to celebrate the New Year when they were hit by the accused’s car.
“I was knocked across the bonnet on to the road and Necole was caught on the bonnet before coming off it was horrible,” she said.
Wylie admitted that he drove dangerously on George Street, Perth, on New Year’s Day and while under the influence of alcohol and that he knocked down and injured both women.
He also admitted that after causing injury and fleeing the scene of a crash he failed to report the accident or stop to give his details.
Sentencing Wylie, Sheriff Fiona Tait told him there was “no alternative” to a custodial sentence.
He was sent to prison for 22 months backdated from April 9 and banned from driving for four years.
After that he will need to sit the extended driving test and will also be put on a supervised release order for 10 months.