A grandmother, Karen Hayter, has been sentenced to jail after intentionally driving her car into a man and then speeding off with him clinging to the bonnet for over a quarter of a mile. The incident occurred in Dundee when Mark McIntyre attempted to prevent Hayter from leaving the scene of an accident where she had collided with a parked car. Despite his efforts, Hayter drove her Fiat Panda directly at McIntyre, carrying him for more than 500 yards as she accelerated. McIntyre sustained multiple injuries after being thrown from the car onto the road by the 50-year-old woman.
Sheriff Paul Brown handed Hayter a 14-month jail sentence and a driving ban of five years and seven months, emphasizing the severity of her actions. The court heard how McIntyre bravely attempted to stop Hayter from fleeing after the initial collision, captured on CCTV around 11pm on the fateful night. Following the incident, Hayter abandoned McIntyre on the road, left her car at a nearby supermarket, and then took a taxi home.
During the trial, Hayter claimed that she felt fearful of McIntyre, whom she did not know, and believed he posed a threat to her safety. McIntyre recounted how he tried to reason with Hayter after the collision, only to find himself clinging to the bonnet of her car as she callously ignored his pleas. Describing the harrowing experience, McIntyre shared his fear of losing his life as Hayter continued to accelerate, showing no regard for his safety.
Hayter was convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, resulting in severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and endangering McIntyre’s life. McIntyre, visibly emotional, broke down in tears upon hearing the guilty verdict. Despite Hayter’s claims of feeling scared and panicked during the incident, the court found her guilty of failing to stop and report the accident, highlighting the gravity of her reckless actions.
The court proceedings shed light on the traumatic events that transpired that night in Dundee, underscoring the need for accountability and justice in cases of dangerous driving. McIntyre’s bravery in attempting to prevent further harm deserves recognition, serving as a reminder of the importance of standing up against irresponsible and reckless behaviour on the roads.
In conclusion, Karen Hayter’s actions not only endangered the life of Mark McIntyre but also left a lasting impact on him due to the injuries sustained during the incident. The court’s decision to impose a custodial sentence and driving ban reflects the seriousness of the offence committed. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of upholding road safety regulations to protect all individuals on our streets.