Driver’s insanity plea over collision with boy

A MAN who allegedly hit an 11-year-old boy after driving his sports car through a red light at a pedestrian crossing has no memory of the event, a court has heard.

At Perth Sheriff Court, Charles McLauchlan pleaded not guilty by way of insanity to charges that on two separate dates last September he drove his Toyota MR2 while under the influence of drink or drugs.

The offences are said to have taken place on Taylor Street, Methil, and theA977 at Crook of Devon on September 15 and 17 last year.

It is further alleged that on September 17 he drove through a pedestrian crossing on the A977 at Crook of Devon while under the influence of drink or drugs, hitting a young boy who was crossing the road with his bike.

The impact damaged McLauchlan’s car and the boy’s bike. The child suffered just minor cuts and bruises and did not need to go to hospital.

In an unusual twist, McLauchlan’s lawyer Brian Black submitted a joint minute with depute fiscal Carol Whyte, with both sides agreeing the facts of the case proved but with Mr Black denying his client’s criminal liability due to his mental health.

Mr Black said his 53- year- old client had suffered a head injury two days prior to the incident taking place and could not remember his actions.

Dr Karen Bett, a consultant psychiatrist at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, said that having treated McLauchlan, she was of the belief that his actions were consistent with a head injury.

She attended Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital in the hours following the incident and described his demeanour at the time as “acutely confused” and said he had “no recollection” of the events.

She added that the drugs which he is alleged to have taken were liable to make him sleepy.

The trial before Sheriff Michael Fletcher and a jury continues.