A DELIVERY driver who ran over a vulnerable woman and left her paralysed has been jailed for 15 months.

Harjinder Saro, 62, ran a red light when he struck Marion Johnston, 52, in Glasgow's Pollok on March 10, 2021.

Ms Johnston - who has learning difficulties - was hit as she crossed the road at a green man.

Her catalogue of injuries included to her spine which has left her paralysed from the chest down.

Ms Johnston is now wheelchair-bound and will require help from family and carers for the rest of her life.

First offender Saro pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing Ms Johnston a serious injury by dangerous driving.

Sheriff Iain Fleming told Saro at today's sentencing that he had to "express society's disapproval" of his behaviour.

He added: "I recognise that no sentence I can impose will provide any compensation to Marion Johnston and her family.

"There is no sentence I can impose which remarks the overwhelming, devastating impact on Marion Johnston caused by you."

The sheriff also imposed a driving ban of five years one month and two weeks and Saro must complete an extended test before being allowed on the road again.

The court earlier heard that Ms Johnston, who has a mental age of 12, had been shopping.

She stopped and waited at a green man before making her way from the pedestrian crossing.

Saro - a dad-of two - meantime was behind the wheel of a Toyota Avensis making deliveries for Uber Eats.

Witnesses Stephen Ferguson and his son Barry waited at the traffic light and noted Ms Johnston crossing the road.

They saw Saro come from the left travelling "in excess of 30 miles per hours."

Prosecutor Sean Docherty said: "He went through a red light and they further observed what they thought to be the car lose control and hit an object or the barrier.

"They observed items falling through the air."

The Fergusons left their car and initially believed that there was debris from the car on the ground.

Mr Docherty added: "However, getting closer, they realised this was the body of Marion Johnston."

A 999 call was made while Saro initially left the scene and went home.

He returned with his son before identifying himself to police as being the driver.

Ms Johnston was taken to hospital where it was feared that she suffered life-threatening injuries.

This was changed later that night to "non-life threatening but now serious life-changing injuries."

Her injuries included a spinal injury as well as fractures to her pelvis and ribs.

There were wounds to her kidney, spleen and forehead, a bowel injury as well as fractures to her tibia and fibula.

Ms Johnston underwent various surgeries as a result of the incident which included to her spine and legs.

Mr Docherty added: "Due to her spinal injuries, she is paralysed from the chest down and has no function in her legs.

"She is a full-time wheelchair user and requires a catheter as her bladder no longer works due to the injuries.

“She will require the assistance of family, friends and carers for the rest of her life as well as regular visits to the spinal injury unit."

Marion was released from hospital into the care of her family on July 8, 2021, and is based in a bed in the front room.

Saro gave a largely no comment interview to police.

A collision investigator determined that a driver would have had a view of 130 metres to the crossing and the lights.

Mr Docherty added: "The traffic lights would be clear for the driver to observe and the investigator saw no signs of emergency braking on the road."

The car's braking system was also found to be in working order.

Calum Hiller, defending, told the court: "He does not hide from the consequences of his actions.

"He is very much a man who carries the burden of these consequences every day and feels the weight of responsibility for these actions and consequences.

"He wishes it was something that he could reverse and he said he wishes to give Marion Johnston all his breaths.

"What this means is if he could swap places with her then he would but of course he cannot."

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23863420.uber-eats-driver-jailed-running-woman-crossing-green-man/

Simon Mason <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:

> A DELIVERY driver who ran over a vulnerable woman and left her paralysed
> has been jailed for 15 months.

> https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/23863420.uber-eats-driver-jailed-running-woman-crossing-green-man/

He should have been using an illegally-modified e-bike, he could have
walked free:

Sakine Cihan, 56, 28 August 2018

<https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/crime/21156347.dalston-crash-sakine-cihan-56-dies-hit-cyclist-kingsland-high-street/>

--
Spike

QUOTE: Prosecutor Sean Docherty said: "He went through a red light and they further observed what they thought to be the car lose control and hit an object or the barrier.ENDS

We are always told that drivers never run through lights at red.