Dangerous driver went on rampage across city roads

ADANGEROUS driver narrowly avoided injuring pedestrians after he swerved close to a pavement, a court heard.

Ryan McCormack was in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court last week after a series of driving offences across the city on April 3.

The 30-year-old began his erratic behaviour while on Govan Road in the city’s South Side, however, he went on to travel across the River Clyde to Finnieston and on the M8 motorway before arriving at a garage near Port Dundas Road.

While behind the wheel of his Nissan Qashqai, McCormack, of Hamiltonhill Road, undertook a bus, drove at excessive speed, swerved towards pedestrians on the pavement and drove in close proximity to cyclists on the road.

He also repeatedly changed lanes without indicating, drove on the opposite side of the carriageway and in a bus lane as well as through numerous red lights.

McCormack was caught driving while his phone.

The court heard he arrived at Macklin Motors with a “white crust” around his lips, which police believed to be a “substance”, and the front of his car was damaged.

His defence agent said it was a matter made “all the also using more serious” by his client’s offending record, but this was his first offence of this nature.

He explained McCormack had a dispute with his partner prior to the incident, causing him to be upset.

He added: “There’s a long history of offending – much of it linked to mental health, but none the less – there’s some alcohol and drugs.

“He made very good progress over the last 18 months or so.”

McCormack was placed on a restriction of liberty order for six months from 7am to 7pm and disqualified from driving for one year.

He will also be required to sit an extended test should he wish to get back behind the wheel.