Drink-driver injured in chase by cops may get his licence back

Sheriff agrees to cut disqualification by two years

A drink- driver left with a fractured skull after a highspeed police chase can get his licence back.

Brian Smith, 27, was double the limit when his BMW careered into a van.

He was jailed for 18 months and banned from the road for five years.

But he has been given the green light to resit his test after a hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Sheriff David Pender agreed to cut the disqualification by two years after he was released from prison.

He said: “I can remember this case because it was a very, very bad piece of dangerous driving.

“In the whole circumstances, given your background, that this is your only previous conviction, and what you’re doing to improve your lot, I’m going to grant the application. “You can’t drive immediately. “You have to apply for and pass your test.

“But as far as the court’s concerned, you can drive as soon as you pass your test.”

Smith was caged after he led cops on a 120mph chase down the M8 motorway.

He sped throught he streets of Paisley and jumped a red light.

The pursuit only ended when he smashed into a parked panel van in Glasgow Road.

Smith was left with a fractured skull during the drama on Aril 7, 2014.

The three-door hatchback was going so fast it caused extensive damage and catapulted the van down the street.

The driver was knocked out by the impact and left with a collapsed lung and lacerations to his kidney and liver. Passenger John O’Rourke suffered a broken collar bone and collapsed lung.

Smith admitted dangerous driving during a hearing three years ago.

The court heard a taxi driver raised the alarm when he spotted Smith speeding down the M8 towards Glasgow around 1.30am.

Police tailed him in a marked car with their sirens and blue flashing lights on.

Smith ignored their pleas to stop and raced through the town before crashing at the junction with Hawkhead Road.

Defence lawyer Kristopher Brown revealed his client is training to become a mechanic.

Sheriff Pender had locked Smith up following the smash. He told him: “You are lucky to be alive. “This is at the very highest scale of dangerous driving.

“I cannot deal with this without a period of imprisonment.”

Smith, of Langton Crescent, Barrhead, can return to the roads if he passes the driving exam.

You can’t drive immediately. You have to apply for and pass your test Sheriff David Pender