A man was convicted today of running over a pregnant woman who lost her unborn child.
Darren Morrison, 20, has been found guilty after he struck Julie Welsh, 40, in Glasgow's Springburn on December 12 2020.
Julie had been walking across a road on a hill when Morrison's Mercedes sped towards her.
The Farmfoods worker hit Morrison's windscreen before landing on the road. Julie required 24-hour specialist care having suffered a life-changing brain injury.
READ MORE: Marelle Sturrock murder investigation launched as Glasgow mum and unborn baby die as police hunt partner
Both of her legs were amputated, she is blind in one eye and she lost her unborn child.
Morrison meantime claimed that he did not see Julie until a "split second" before the collision.
The first offender denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
He showed no emotion as he was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial and faces sentencing next month.
Members of Julie's family in the public gallery were heard to say: "It's over", "Justice" and thanked the jury.
The court heard from Graham Robertson, 44, who witnessed Julie being struck by the car that was "going quite fast."
He said: "I would say from where she crossed the road, she was one metre from the kerb on the other side of the road to complete her journey.
"She came off the left passenger side windscreen and she ended up further back on the road she was walking on impact."
The support worker stated that he "froze" before going to Julie's aid until emergency services arrived.
He said: "I thought she was dead. I heard rasping breaths, she was in a bad bad way.
"Until the point I heard her making noises, she was lying in a distorted way...she was making choking noises."
Experienced driver Patricia Callaghan, 55, claimed she heard the car "revving, not slowing, if anything getting quicker."
Miss Callaghan heard a bang and a screech while dog walker Donna McClymont, 48, heard a pop.
Road traffic collision expert PC John O'Hara told jurors that Morrison had a "full view [of the road] of 40 metres, for three seconds."
In her closing speech to the jury, prosecutor Jessica McGowan said: "I invite you to accept Morrison should have had sight of her on approach to the hill."
The court heard that Morrison, his girlfriend and two other friends were heading back to his house after collecting food to watch boxing.
In his evidence, Morrison claimed: "I couldn't have done anything differently."
Miss McGowan said in her speech: "He can't explain why he didn't see Julie Welsh, a moving object until she is in front of his car.
"He can't be sure that the reason he didn't see her was because he was distracted - the consequences were catastrophic for her.
"Morrison said it was a split second between seeing her and hitting her and in that split second Julie's life as she knew it was taken away from her - her unborn baby was taken away from her."
Julie suffered a traumatic head injury, a fractured top rib, a broken left arm, extensive lower leg and pelvic injuries.
There were also cuts and bruises to her face, cheeks and knuckles as well as a black eye.
had to have temporary removal of bone from the skull to stop a brain bleed on December 12 and 14 2020.
She also had surgery on her broken arm and pelvic bone.
Both of her legs were amputated below the knee.
Julie remains under 24-hour specialist care and has had a total of 10 surgeries.
She has severe brain damage, is blind in one eye, has no awareness of her external surroundings and cannot communicate.
The mum-of-one requires medical assistance to breathe and is fed through a tube.
She requires a hoist into her specialist wheelchair but spends most of her time in bed and she has no independent mobility.
Julie's condition is unlikely to improve.
Morrison was disqualified from driving and granted bail by Sheriff Joan Kerr.
READ NEXT:
Rutherglen Tesco attacker who stabbed ex-partner in frenzied assault locked up
Marelle Sturrock Glasgow murder and everything we know as partner remains missing
Celtic's Jota pictured at legendary Glasgow pub ahead of Rangers weekend showdown
Headteacher of Glasgow mum-to-be found dead pays heartfelt tribute to 'lovely and kind' person
