Disqualification after driver struck pedestrian in Lerwick car park

A YOUNG man from Quarff has been disqualified from driving for 23 weeks after he struck a pedestrian in a Lerwick car park leaving her injured.

Alexander Leiper appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday morning for what was originally a trial for dangerous driving.

But following negotiations between the Crown and Leiper’s solicitor, the original charge was amended to one of careless driving to which the 30 year old pleaded guilty.

Narrating the circumstances which led to the woman be struck in the Hillhead car park – commonly known as the old swimming pool car park – procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie described the accident as being at the high end of what constitutes careless driving.

He told the court how Leiper, of Easter Quarff, had entered the lower section of the car park on 3 February last year, manoeuvring at excessive speed and failed to properly observe his surroundings.

He said the complainer had been aware of Leiper and his car because of the manner of his driving and had registered to take care.

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Yet, he collided with the woman, who fell on to the vehicle’s bonnet and then on to the road. She sustained whiplash injuries to her neck which endured for some time.

The court heard that Leiper cooperated fully with police, was very sorry for the incident, and had apologised to the complainer.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said, “for whatever reason”, his client did not see the woman. He added that Leiper had been at the end of his journey as he was in the process of parking his car.

Disqualifying Leiper for 23 weeks, sheriff Philip Mann reiterated that this case was at the “high end” of section 3 (of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which defines careless driving).

Leiper was also fined £450.