By Jonny Clark
Copyright grampianonline
A mother found her screaming teenage daughter in an overturned car that had been crashed into a wall at 90mph by a drink-driver.
Arran Paterson has been sentenced to 32 months in a Young Offenders institution after causing the crash in Macduff, which also resulted in aspiring young footballer Adam Golebiewski having both his legs amputated.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that Paterson – who was uninsured and driving a courtesy vehicle being used by his parents – was over the legal alcohol limit and driving in thick fog when he crashed at 2.30am on September 8, 2024.
Alison McKenzie, Procurator Fiscal for Grampian, Highland and Islands, described the 19-year-old’s actions as “reprehensible”.
She said: “Arran Paterson’s conduct was reckless and reprehensible and had devastating consequences for at least one of the passengers in that car.
“That individual has been robbed of a promising football career and his right to a normal life has also been taken away from him.
“Paterson has now been prosecuted and held accountable for his actions, which should serve as a reminder that Scotland’s prosecutors will act to keep the public safe from dangerous drivers.
“We urge anyone who believes someone may be driving while unfit through alcohol or drugs to report them to the police to avoid tragic outcomes like this one.”
Adam Golebiewski was left with life-changing injuries after the crash, and the other two teenage passengers – one boy and one girl – suffered serious injuries.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that the girl’s mother found her in the wreckage of the car after the high-speed crash.
The woman, who had just finished work, heard a loud bang followed by a screeching noise and a further loud bang.
She ran towards the noise and saw the Audi on its roof and recognised one of the occupants as her daughter, who was screaming.
The court heard that Paterson had freed himself from the vehicle and appeared to have cuts over his face and hands.
Emergency services arrived to treat the injured teens and noted that the 18-year-old male passenger had traumatic leg injuries.
Hospital staff later deemed his injuries were beyond reconstruction and both limbs were amputated below the knee.
All parties were taken to hospital. The vehicle was extensively damaged and there was also damage to a nearby wall caused by the collision.
The other two passengers suffered serious spinal injuries and one has been unable to return to work since the crash.
The accused’s blood was found to contain 62 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood which exceeds the prescribed limited for driving, namely 50 milligrams.
Paterson pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, being over the drink-drive limit and driving without insurance following a prosecution by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
He was also disqualified from driving for five years and four months.
