The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hit-and-run driver left pair for dead
A DRUNKEN hit and run driver knocked down two women and left them lying in the street just minutes after they had celebrated NewYear.
Neil Wylie was banned from driving yesterday after he admitted being responsible for the crash which sparked a nationwide manhunt.
Ailsa Howden, 19, and her friend Necole Stewart, 20, were crossing the street when Wylie ploughed into them and threw them up in the air.
The two women were left in agony in the street and had to be taken to hospital after Wylie — who was drunk — abandoned them and drove off.
Ailsa and Necole, who have been friends since they attended Perth Grammar School together, had arranged a night out to celebrate the start of 2014.
Ailsa returned to Perth from studying in Aberdeen and the pair were on their way to a friend’s house for a party at 12.30am when the incident occurred.
They were crossing George Street when Wylie — who had been seen driving erratically through the centre of Perth — failed to slow down and drove straight into them.
Police Scotland launched an appeal in the wake of the incident and hours of CCTV footage was studied before the car Wylie was driving was identified.
At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Wylie, 52, admitted driving dangerously and while he was under the influence of alcohol and knocking down and injuring both women.
He also admitted causing injury and fleeing the scene of a crash and failing to report the accident or stopping to give his details in George Street, Perth on January 1.
Wylie, of Strathmore Street, Perth, also admitted driving his Vauxhall Corsa while he was under the influence of drink or drugs and he was banned from driving on an interim basis by Sheriff Fiona Tait.
She deferred sentence for reports.