A lorry driver who knocked down and seriously injured a cyclist has been banned from the roads.
John Smillie was driving an articulated DAF truck when he clipped 62-year-old Euan Chisholm with his extended wing mirror.
Mr Chisholm suffered serious head injuries, a fractured right hip and extensive muscle damage, and was transferred from Dr Gray’s in Elgin to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment.
He remained in hospital for several weeks, and yesterday a court heard that 10 months on, he has still not fully recovered.
Smillie admitted driving without reasonable consideration for other road users, and appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday for sentencing.
The accident happened on the A98 Tynet to Lintmill road at Buckie on December 3 last year.
Fiscal depute Ruraidh McAlister told the court the 43-year-old spotted an oncoming tanker which was encroaching onto his side of the road.
But as he moved over to let the tanker pass, he hit Mr Chisholm – who was in front of him – with his wing mirror.
Smillie, who has a history of drug abuse, was sacked following the incident, the court heard. He started using drugs again and eventually checked into rehab in Bristol.
And yesterday defence agent Kevin Longino said Smillie, of 6 Court Road, Kingswood, Bristol, had turned his life around and was now volunteering with prisoners in the south of England to help them deal with their drug problems.
The court also heard that Mr Chisholm was cycling in all back without a helmet.
But Sheriff Ian Anderson said that Smillie still should have seen him, and disqualified him for eight months. He also fined him £200.