Trial date set for dangerous driver

ASUSPECT will stand trial next year accused of trying to mow down a man on two separate occasions.

Joseph Rowan, 32, allegedly assaulted Aaron Young on a road in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, on April 27, 2019.

He is also claimed to have assaulted Young at a separate road in Kirkintilloch on May 7, 2019.

Prosecutors state on the first alleged occasion, Rowan drove his motor vehicle at excessive speed on Waterside Road.

It is stated he drove at Young and attempted to strike him with the motor vehicle.

The charge states this caused Young to take evasive action to avoid being struck by the motor vehicle to the danger of his life.

Rowan faces an alternative charge at the same time and date that he drove the vehicle dangerously.

Rowan is up on two further charges from the same date which claim he was the owner of a provisional driving licence and had no insurance.

On the alleged second occasion, Rowan is accused of driving at excessive speed on the pavement at Newdyke Road.

It is stated Rowan repeatedly drove his vehicle at Young and attempted to strike him with it causing him and a Lauren Conroy to take evasive action to avoid being struck by it to the danger of their lives.

The alternative charge claims Rowan drove the car dangerously at an excessive speed, mounted the pavement and repeatedly drove the car at Young.

It is alleged he attempted to strike him with the vehicle and caused Young and Conroy to jump and take evasive action to avoid being struck.

Rowan faces similar further charges of driving while being the owner of a provisional licence and without insurance.

Rowan is accused of attempting to induce a Kayleigh McKeown to lie to the authorities about the whereabouts of the vehicle on the following day.

The charge states this was done to avoid detection, arrest and prosecution with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Rowan’s final charge alleges he failed to provide information to the police about the driver of the vehicle.

Rowan pleaded not guilty to all eight charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Mhairi Alexander said: “The Crown is ready for trial and two to three days will be sufficient.

A trial was fixed for May next year by Sheriff Gerard Considine.

Rowan, of Kirkintilloch, had his bail continued meantime.