A disabled man has been banned from the road for a year after running over his sister with his mobility scooter.
But the disqualification, imposed on Dougie Mackenzie because he had been drinking, will make no difference to his life – because the scooter does not need a driving licence.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday how Mackenzie, 46, shot out of a city pub on the vehicle, straight into his sister Jane.
His 47-year-old sibling ended up trapped underneath the four-wheeled vehicle.
Mackenzie claimed a prankster in the pub had turned his scooter’s speed limiter to maximum when he was not looking – so when he applied the throttle he went flying out the door into the street at its full speed of 18mph.
Luckily Miss Mackenzie suffered only scratches and bruising, and saw the funny side of things.
The collision was also witnessed by two police constables on foot patrol in the city centre in the early hours of New Year’s morning.
They breathalysed Mackenzie and charged him with drink driving.
Mackenzie, of Tannery Court in Inverness, yesterday admitted driving a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place while unfit through drink or drugs. He was banned from driving for a year but Sheriff Margaret Neilson did not impose a fine because “of the unusual circumstances.”.
Because he doesn’t hold a driving licence as it is not required for his scooter, the disqualification will not affect him.
He said yesterday: “Thank goodness it will not prevent me from getting around on the scooter. That was what I was most worried about.
“Fortunately Jane wasn’t badly hurt but I am not happy about the idiot who fiddled about with the controls. Everyone was laughing about it.”
Miss Mackenzie added: “One minute I was outside the pub waiting for Dougie and his mobility scooter, The next minute I was lying trapped underneath it. I never saw the scooter coming. It just flew out the door.
“My leg was sore but I saw the funny side of it. One of the customers rushed out when it happened and lifted the scooter off me with one heave.
“It was really heavy and I was ever so glad to be freed.”
Mackenzie – and his scooter – were taken to a nearby police station and the breathalyser showed he was almost five times the legal drink driving limit.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir told the court: “It was about 2.30am when police on foot patrol were stopped outside a bar in Baron Taylor’s Street.
“They saw Mackenzie exit on his mobility scooter and collide with a female who turned out to be his sister. He appeared not to have control of the scooter and continued to travel over his sister.”
Defence lawyer Marc Dickson said his client had been out celebrating the New Year with family and friends including his sister.
“In the bar he was able to maneouvre the scooter quite well. As they were leaving, a number of well-wishers were shaking his hand and one of them was sitting on the scooter.
“Unbeknown to my client, he was fiddling about with the controls, one of which affected the scooter’s speed and its ability to rise to cross over bumpy objects.
“The scooter then careered out the door over his sister and she was trapped underneath. She was relatively unhurt and did not want her brother charged.
“But he was taken to the police station. This is a source of embarrassment for him. His scooter is essential but any driving disqualification will not affect his ability to drive it, as he does not require a licence for it.”