A CLACKMANNANSHIRE man who drove into three people in a car park in Galashiels has avoided jail.
Last month Hugh Sutherland, 44, was convicted at Selkirk Sheriff Court of striking a man and woman with his vehicle to the danger of their lives.
They had been trying to stop him leaving the car park.
Sutherland was also found guilty of reversing his car into another man in the car park at Car Parts 4 U in Hall Street, Galashiels, on June 13, 2024.
After a three day trial he was convicted of three counts of culpable and reckless conduct, as well as a fourth charge of failing to stop following the hit-and-run incident.
Sutherland, whose address was given in court as Birkhill View, at the B910-A977 junction, Clackmannan, returned to court for sentencing.
His solicitor had argued that his client felt under threat when trying to flee the car park.
However, Sheriff Colm Dempsey said the threat of death or serious injury existed only in Sutherland’s mind and described it as a “poor piece of driving”.
However, he took into account that Sutherland was a first offender when deciding on an alternative to custody.
He ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and imposed a year-long night-time home curfew.
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