North Lanarkshire hit and run driver jailed

A driver who left a man for dead in a horror hit and run was jailed for 38 months.

Aaron Park had earlier spotted his ex-Jacqueline Carr in a car with her new boyfriend Lee Prosser on January 25 this year.

Mr Prosser was forced to drive his Corsa at 100mph to try and escape from crazed Park.

The high speed chase lasted through Cumbernauld, Moodiesburn and Stepps, all North Lanarkshire.

Mr Prosser's friend Brian Reilly was meantime in the area and became aware of what was happening.

As he stood on the road, Park ploughed his Ford Fiesta into him sending him flying through the air.

Park failed to stop - and later insisted he did not realise he had hit Mr Reilly.

But, he was locked up at the High Court in Glasgow and disqualified from driving for six years.

The 20 year-old pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, a separate charge of dangerous driving as well as attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Lord Beckett told him: “Your driving was gruesome over a significant distance.

“You struck the victim causing him serious injuries and almost ended his life.

“Your conduct was disgraceful leaving a man for dead on the roadway and tried to conceal evidence and avoid the police which further aggravated the whole situation.”

The court heard Mr Prosser had been dating Park's ex Jacqueline Carr for around three weeks at the time.

The young woman and Park had split in April 2018.

Mr Prosser and Miss Carr had gone to a McDonalds in Cumbernauld when they became aware of Park tailing them.

The couple were "intimidated" and sped out the restaurant, but Park immediately followed.

The chase went on for a "significant distance" including on the M80 motorway close to the Stepps area.

Mr Prosser spotted his friend Brian Reilly, who had earlier tried contacting him during the incident.

Mr Prosser was continuing to be followed when he then saw Park crash into Mr Reilly leaving him sprawling.

Mr McVicar: "At the time of the collision, Park was still driving at excessive speed and plainly lost control of his vehicle."

Park fled the scene leaving Mr Reilly on the road.

Park, of Cumbernauld, handed himself into police days later.

He said Mr Reilly had hurled a bottle at his car that night.

Park insisted he 'did not notice' he hit the man despite his car being badly damaged.

Mr Reilly's injuries included fractures of his pelvis, face, skull and hand.

The court heard he has fortunately recovered well, but may end up needing a hip replacement in the future.

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