Man goes on trial accused of dangerous driving in city

A MAN has gone on trial accused of leaving a teenage girl in a coma with serious injuries following an alleged high-speed hit-and-run smash in Dundee.

Naomi Ahmed was left with multiple fractures to her legs, pelvis, arms, hands and ribs and was in intensive care for days after the incident.

John O’Neil, 32, of Rosebank Street, Hilltown, denies driving dangerously at excessive speed and leaving Ms Ahmed, who was 19 at the time, seriously injured, as well as failing to stop after the crash, driving without insurance and without a full licence.

A jury at Dundee Sheriff Court were told that Ms Ahmed was walking to work at the time and that she has no memory of the incident as a result of the impact.

A witness told the first day of the trial that the “speeding” car that caused the smash stopped a short distance after the impact before “fleeing away” up another street.

The vehicle was later found abandoned there.

Fiscal depute Vicki Bell told the jury that when Ms Ahmed was found in Byron Street she was “unconscious and only responding to pain”.

She added: “She was sedated, taken to Ninewells Hospital and admitted to intensive care where a CT scan revealed bleeding on the brain.

“She still experiences pain and swelling in her leg and there is permanent scarring.”

Jennifer Knox, 28, told the court that she was one of the first people on the scene moments after the crash.

Miss Knox said: “There was a car speeding very, very fast.

“There was screeching as it went past. Then there was a very loud bang.

“I got out and could see something in the road that looked like a person so I went running to see if I could help.

“I noticed a car had stopped and then took off just as I reached the victim.

“It took off at speed. It wasn’t careful driving.”

The court was then shown images of the Peugeot car allegedly involved in the crash, which was missing its badge and had the number plate smashed in two.

The badge was later found at the scene and matched by forensic examiners to the car.

The trial, before Sheriff Alastair Brown, continues.