INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Former Ross County footballer lands road ban as sheriff slams 'reckless and negligent' driving that resulted in serious injury for passenger
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A former Ross County and Highland League footballer has been banned from driving for 32 months after a lift home nearly ended in tragedy for his passenger.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard Steven Ross (29) of New Street, Shandwick was at a birthday party on February 2, 2019 in Revolution, in Inverness.
He met apprentice electrician Grant Reilly in the bar and offered him a lift home to Tain.
Fiscal depute Susan Love said earlier that as Ross came on to the Tore roundabout travelling at excessive speed “for some reason he turned left towards Muir of Ord”.
A short distance later he lost control, his vehicle overturned and crashed into a fence and trees. The car ended up on its roof in a field.
More Ross-shire reports from the court
Mr Reilly suffered a collapsed lung, a fractured collar bone and other more minor injuries.
“He has since made a full recovery,” Ms Love told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald.
Ross had previously admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Sentence had been deferred for a background report.
Ross’s solicitor Rory Gowans said his client was “remorseful” at what had happened on the night in question.
Mr Gowans added: “He is aware that this is a serious matter. It was a very bad decision by Mr Ross.”
Sheriff Macdonald described his driving as “reckless and negligent”.
She added: “You’re lucky this was not worse.”
A community payback order with 225 hours of unpaid work was also imposed as well as the driving ban.
Ross was told he would need to sit an extended driving test when his ban expires if he wants to drive again.
