The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bin lorry crash driver’s new motoring offence
COURT: Harry Clarke admits reckless driving just months after crash killed six people
The driver of a bin lorry which crashed in Glasgow killing six people has admitted culpable and reckless driving on a separate occasion just nine months after the tragedy.
Harry Clarke, 60, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he pleaded guilty to driving a car in the city on September 20 2015 to the danger of the public, despite his licence having been revoked for medical reasons.
Six people died in December 2014 when the refuse lorry lost control in Glasgow city centre.
He admitted driving in the knowledge he had suffered a loss of consciousness while at the wheel of a moving refuse collection vehicle on December 22 2014, resulting in the deaths and leaving 15 more people injured.
He also knew he had suffered a loss of consciousness or episode of altered awareness while at the wheel of a stationary bus on April 7 2010.
Yesterday, Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Clarke’s licence was revoked by the DVLA on medical grounds in June 2015 after they became aware of the incident in 2010 in addition to the incident in December 2014.
His licence to drive cars was revoked for 12 months and his licence to drive buses and lorries for 10 years.
Senior depute fiscal Martin Allan told the court that a neighbour spotted Clarke driving out of the car park of his home in the Baillieston area of Glasgow at around 8pm on the evening of September 20 2015 and called the police.
He said: “Mr Clarke was rummaging in the boot of his car and the neighbour went home and told his girlfriend and they looked out of the window.
“After watching for 30 seconds to two minutes, both saw the accused get into the driver’s seat, switch on the lights and drive out of the car park onto Buchanan Street. He was the sole occupant of the car.
“Both were suspicious about his ability to drive because of the media coverage and they did some research online and found that his licence had been revoked on medical grounds. They called the police at 8.04pm.
“While waiting for the police between 10.15pm and 10.20pm, they saw his car return again to the car park and it parked up in the usual space. He got out and went to the boot to get carrier bags.
“At 10.30pm, police went to the home of the witnesses. The police officers saw that the accused’s car was in the middle of the car park in a bay. The accused’s home was in darkness at the time.”
Police went to Clarke’s home on September 22 and he was cautioned and charged.
Clarke was originally charged with three other road traffic offences relating to insurance and licence matters, however his not guilty pleas were accepted by the Crown.
Sheriff Martin Jones QC deferred sentence until March 31 pending reports.
Both were suspicious about his ability to drive because of the media coverage and they did some research online and found that his licence had been revoked on medical grounds. MARTIN ALLAN, DEPUTE FISCAL