A man has been banned from driving after admitting mounting the pavement in Aberdeen city centre, hitting a pedestrian and smashing into a cafe.
Jack Odlin lost control of his red Vauxhall Corsa while he was on Union Terrace on May 2 last year.
Despite knowing there was damage to his front wheel, the 20-year-old continued to operate the car until it began veering across the road and crashed into the building.
Pedestrian Lyndsey Cooper was left with three broken bones in her leg after being struck and is now “afraid of crossing the road”.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, Odlin admitted a charge of dangerous driving.
Fiscal depute Colin Neilson said that the accused, of Hillview Terrace in Cults, had been driving from Torry to the city centre at around noon that day.
Mr Neilson added: “A member of the public told him his front wheel was damaged and needed repaired.
“The accused accepted this and continued driving.”
When Odlin made his way onto Union Terrace, witnesses saw him “struggling” to steer the vehicle.
His car “repeatedly” swerved towards the kerb and a parked motorbike, then mounted the pavement and collided with Ms Cooper and the front of the Kirk View cafe.
The woman was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she required surgery for three broken bones in her leg.
Mr Neilson said she spent two weeks in rehabilitation, and needed crutches to walk for seven months afterwards.
He added: “She can’t be as active as previously. Her confidence has suffered.
“She is afraid while crossing the road.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller deferred sentence on Odlin until next month for reports and disqualified from driving in the interim.
Speaking at the time, cafe owner Rob Milne said a huge noise resounded through the premises when it was hit.
He said: “I was in the middle of making a cocktail when there was this very loud boom.
“There were a lot of customers in when it happened, who were quite shook up by it.”