Youth catches hefty fine for car smash 29/7/08
A North Uist youth was today (Tues) fined £ 1200 for crashing a car.
Stephen Neil Rafique of 4 Ashaill Cottages, Bayhead appeared at Lochmaddy Sheriff Court.
The creel fisherman pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and not having valid insurance on the B888 Dailburgh to Eriskay road at West Kilbride on 17th February.
Procurator fiscal David Teale told the court that the 20-year-old was driving the car and took a 15-year-old girl with him.
He lost control of the vehicle on a left-hand bend. It skidded and clipped the near side. He overcompensated in trying to regain gain control and swerved again.
The car overturned and Rafique was thrown out. He ended lying on his back, unconscious but breathing. The girl was hysterical.
Rafique sustained bruising and leg pains and the car was damaged. He told police that “the last thing I remember it was going over.”
His lawyer Douglas Burd said he thought he was covered by his father’s insurance. The girl was wearing a seat belt and escaped without injuries.
He pleaded for Rafique to retain his licence otherwise he would lose his job.
He said his client was “one of the few men here working and earning an honest wage.”
Sheriff Andrew Berry noted his previous convictions: “It is quite clear your entitlement to drive at all is somewhat tenuous.”
He warned: “If you come back to this court not only will you be disqualified but, depending on what the charge might be, you
