A 40-year-old man who took a cocktail of potentially lethal drugs before ploughing his car into a pedestrian and driving off has been jailed for five years.
Shawn Kenny was told he was “in no fit state” to be behind the wheel when his car mounted the pavement and knocked Elaine Thomson over a wall in Forfar.
Kenny’s 33-year-old victim was left with a serious brain injury and fractured skull and is still receiving treatment in hospital in Aberdeen, more than three months after almost dying from her injuries.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard previously that Kenny had taken heroin, cannabis and methadone before the crash in South Street in the early hours of June 1.
Sheriff Kenneth McGowan told Kenny: “It is clear you were in no fit state to be behind the wheel of a car.
“As the consequence of your driving Ms Thomson suffered very grievous injuries and the long-term effects remain unclear. Her life altered because of your actions and a full recovery is in no way certain.”
Kenny, of Restenneth Drive, Forfar, admitted causing serious injury to Ms Thomson by driving dangerously, repeatedly hitting a kerb, mounting the kerb and driving on to the pavement before colliding with her.
The charge states he narrowly avoided two other pedestrians and drove on.
He further admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs and, having caused the collision, failing to stop and give details.
Kenny also pleaded guilty to producing cannabis at addresses in Lordburn Place and Restenneth Drive between June 1 and 3.
Elaine Thomson had been out with friends in a Forfar nightclub and was walking home when Kenny mounted the pavement and knocked her over a wall before driving to his home nearby.
Ms Thomson was rushed to Ninewells Hospital, where her chances of survival were described as “poor”. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury, three fractured ribs, a skull fracture and other bone fractures. She was placed in a medically induced coma.
Meanwhile, police traced the vehicle to a car park near Lordburn Place and Restenneth Street, where they saw it had been damaged and the exhaust was still hot.
Kenny admitted he was the driver and blood tests showed traces of cannabinoids, morphine and methadone.