Ex-Saint banned

Aug 29 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PART-TIME professional footballer who mowed down a pedestrian at a Perth junction, leaving him with horrific injuries and partially paralysed, was fined £400 and banned from driving for six months at the Sheriff Court this week.

The court was told that Daryn Smith, who previously played for St Johnstone Reserves and is now with Junior club Carnoustie Panmure, failed to keep a proper look-out as he emerged onto the Crieff Road junction on June 16.

He struck Norman Ewen, of Malcolm Court, Perth, as he crossed the road, throwing him onto the bonnet of his car.

The 53-year-old victim struck his head on the windscreen before his right leg became caught on the front wheel.

He then fell unconscious onto the road. The accused immediately stopped his car and dialled 999.

Mr Ewen was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where major surgery was carried out on multiple injuries to his leg.

He also had broken neck vertebrae which required neck stabilisation and a collar.

A large blood clot had also formed on the right side of his skull, which caused pressure on his brain.

“An attempt was made to remove some of the skull bone to allow the brain to expand,” stated depute fiscal Charmaine Cole.

At the time the police report was prepared, he remained in the High Dependency Unit at Ninewells, where his condition was considered to be “life-threatening.”

She added: “The most up-to-date report, on July 7, indicated he had no movement down the left-hand side of his body – and this is unlikely to improve,” she added.

Smith (27), of Thriepland Wynd, Perth, pled guilty to a charge of careless driving and colliding with Mr Ewen, causing him severe injury.

Smith told police that when he arrived at the junction he first looked right and the road was clear. He then looked to his left and although he saw some vehicles approaching, he felt there was sufficient time to pull out safely.

But the accused then said he hadn’t had a second look to his right.

He collided with Mr Ewing almost as soon as he pulled out – and didn’t see him.

Solicitor Kate Jones said that Smith accepted full responsibility for the accident and had expressed his concern for the consequences.

“The incident has had a significant impact on him and he suffers from nightmares and flashbacks,” added Miss Jones.

A financial assessment officer with Perth and Kinross Council, his car was essential for his employment and if he was banned he would lose his job.

Sheriff Robert McCreadie said that in the circumstances, given the accused’s failure to observe a “fundamental rule of the road,” which would have resulted in him seeing the pedestrian, he was imposing the six-month ban.

Footballer Smith, nicknamed Gonzo and originally from Northern Ireland, previously played for Stranraer, Brechin, Peterhead and Montrose.