A dangerous driver has been banned from the roads for a decade for causing a crash on an Ayrshire road.
Stuart Shankley, of Wylie Crescent in Cumnock, caused serious injury to his long term partner, who was a passenger in his Honda Civic at the time, after he collided with another vehicle on the A70 Ayr Road, Cumnock, at the entrance to Dumfries House, back in 2020.
The 43-year-old is now left caring for his partner, with his solicitor telling Ayr Sheriff Court he is reminded of his actions every single day.
The court heard Shankley failed to observe lane markings, failed to keep a proper look out and failed to keep control of his vehicle as he crossed onto the opposing carriageway in the face of oncoming vehicles.
Shankley collided with another car and caused serious injury to his passenger — including fractures to her neck and hip and two fractured wrists — and injury to two witnesses in the other car.
Solicitor Ms Scobie said: “He pulled out to overtake a vehicle, realised it wasn’t safe and pulled back in.
“He overcorrected this and his wheel slipped on the grass verge.
“His passenger was badly injured and he is now her carer.
“He is remindful of these events everyday.
“He helps by washing her clothes and attending hospital appointments.
“He is very remorseful. He is extremely sorry.”
Ms Scobie added that Shankley does have previous convictions for road traffic incidents.
Sheriff Mhairi McTaggart asked Ms Scobie: “Does he appreciate that because of the serious nature of this that he will lose his license for a very long time?”
Speaking directly to Shankley, Sheriff McTaggart said: “I don’t think the seriousness of this is lost on you.
“That’s a very, very dangerous piece of driving in the first place, that’s why you’ve been charged with a Section 2 [dangerous driving].”
As an alternative to custody, Shankley was disqualified from driving for 10 years and placed on a community payback order.
As part of the order, he will be tagged for five months and receive supervision for 24 months.
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