A SHERIFF told a young man that he was very lucky not to have killed someone after he smashed his car into scaffolding outside a home in Menstrie.

Connor Turner appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court for sentencing on Thursday, July 5, after pleading guilty to a number of driving charges last month.

The 18-year-old had originally pleaded guilty to every charge while representing himself before a sheriff strongly recommended he reconsider that, which he did.

The depute fiscal told the court that Turner met a friend of his in Sauchie on October 11 before the pair got in the accused’s newly-purchased vehicle as they drove to a garage where the car was due to undergo a MOT.

During the journey, his friend apparently pleaded with Turner to slow down as he approached a small bridge on Broompark East, Menstrie.

The car then went over the bridge and all four wheels left the ground due to the excessive speed at which he was driving.

A cyclist then had to take evasive action to avoid being struck before the car went over two sets of pavements before striking scaffolding which was erected round a house. The car then reversed into a further part of scaffolding which damaged a window on the house.

The depute fiscal added that there were children on the other side of the window who could have suffered injuries had it not been for the scaffolding taking the brunt of the hit.

Turner then proceeded to flee the scene.

His friend was traced by police and told officers that the accused was the driver. Turner was then found at his home address on Craigbank, Sauchie, and admitted that he was the driver.

Mr Lowrie, representing Turner, told the court that his client had purchased the car in anticipation of passing his driving test and therefore had no licence or insurance.

The defence lawyer added that Turner thinks he was driving at around 45mph in the 30mph limit zone, although the fiscal said she had no details about what speed he was going at or what the cost of the damage to the scaffolding or house was.

Sheriff Simon Collins scolded Turner for his actions which he said could have had a much worse outcome and made clear that he had more than enough reason to send him to prison for his actions.

The sheriff said: “It is only by the grace of god and through sheer luck that nobody was killed here.”

He sentenced Turner to 160 hours of unpaid work and fined him £400.

He also disqualified him from driving for a period of 24 months and told him he must sit an extended test if he wishes to obtain a licence in the future.