AN ARMY mechanic avoided jail by the 'skin of his teeth' after showing off in a modified car led to serious injuries for one of his friends.

Ryan Mcintosh, of Brodick Road in Kirkcaldy, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday.

The 28-year-old had been convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at a previous hearing, the incident itself having happened in May of 2021 in Wrexham.

The court heard from Martyn Walsh, prosecuting, how victim Anthony Westgarth agreed to go on a short journey with Mcintosh.

They set off from Mr Westgarth's home address in Wrexham with the defendant driving at speed.

His Vauxhall Astra had been modified - with another Vauxhall engine installed and a re-mapped engine management unit.

This made the vehicle faster than a standard Astra and within a short amount of time, Mcintosh veered onto the wrong side of Rhosnesni Lane before travelling onto Oak Drive, a 30 mile per hour zone, at around 50 miles per hour.

After mounting a kerb, the car spun off and travelled sideways before hitting a wall and vaulting into the air, coming to rest on a driveway

"The car was completely out of control," Mr Walsh said.

"Mr Westgarth was partially ejected from the vehicle due to the severe force of the impact."

The victim's feet were inside the car, but his body was on the driveway.

Mcintosh, being "relatively unscathed," helped his friend out of the vehicle and used a seatbelt as a tourniquet on his leg before emergency services arrived.

Mr Westgarth was air lifted to hospital in Stoke, having fractured a vertebrae in his neck, three vertebrae in his back, punctured a lung, broken a femur and "de-gloved" a leg.

He also had numerous lacerations and is still undergoing treatment for his injuries.

The Astra was "a write off," Mr Walsh said, and was "smashed in almost all areas."

Patrick Geddes, defending, told the court: "He has served in the army since he was 17, completing numerous tours.

"He is an experienced driver and this is very out of character.

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"He has driven too fast for a short period of time and it has obviously resulted in disastrous consequences.

"He accepts it was bravado and showing off to his friend - he lost control because he wasn't driving to the conditions or the speed limit."

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Mr Geddes: "He wasn't capable of driving a vehicle that had been modified in this was and he nearly ended up killing his friend."

The Judge told Mcintosh: "It doesn't overstate things to say that were it not for the care he was given at the scene and then when flown to the trauma centre in Stoke he may well have not been with us today.

"This was grossly irresponsible driving at very high speed in a built up area.

"Your stupidity that evening has had a profound and continuing effect (on Mr Westgarth).

"It is very much a mark of the man and remarkably impressive that in his second impact statement he says he wants the court to mark the seriousness of what you did but he doesn't want to see you go to prison.

"I suspect few of us would be able to be quite so magnanimous."

Judge Rowlands said the case was "truly exceptional" and after reflecting on the defendant's ongoing contribution to society in his Army role, his previous good character and the wishes of Mr Westgarth, he was persuaded that a custodial sentence could be suspended.

Mcintosh received a 21 month sentence, but it was suspended for two years.

He has been disqualified from driving for two years and must pay a fine of £3,500, costs of £420 and a victim surcharge of £156.

The Judge added: "You have only avoided custody by the skin of your teeth.

"I hope you will be in a position to continue to serve your country."

 

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