Joyrider on road to ruin

A CAR thief has been jailed for a year for stealing an Audi TT from a garage and driving dangerously through the streets of the Capital eventually crashing into a man, leaving him with a broken leg.

Jamie Hyland, 24, could not resist temptation when he saw the sports car with its door open and keys in the ignition at a car garage in Salamander Street, a court heard.

After taking the car Hyland, who was followed by police officers, sped through various streets in the Capital including North Bridge, South Bridge, Chambers Street, Princes Street, South Charlotte Street, Queensferry Street and Belford Road.

He drove the wrong way down various roads and went through red lights.

Fiscal depute Ian Wallace told Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday that at Great Stuart Street, Hyland crashed into Malcolm Hutchison, 21, who was crossing the road.

Mr Wallace said: "He was thrown through the air and landed heavily on the roadway.

"The accused failed to stop and carried on to Randolph Crescent. The police officer stopped to help Mr Hutchison and saw the accused had carried on to Queensferry Street and the car crashed against a parked car. Hyland was seen to get out and run towards a garden nearby and the police officer stopped him there. He was taken to a police station and it was noted that his speech was slurred. The police attempted to carry out the drink driving process but he was unable to do this."

The court heard that Mr Hutchison underwent surgery and the healing process has gone well but he still has a scar on his face. Mr Wallace added that he believed the long-term impact would be "limited".

Hyland, described as of Barlinnie Prison, admitted stealing the car, driving dangerously, driving while disqualified and without insurance and while unfit through drink or drugs. The offence happened at various roads in Edinburgh on January 9 this year.

Defence agent Vince Belmonte said the offence had not been premeditated.

He said: "He was simply walking along Salamander Street and the garage had left the car in the forecourt with the door open and the keys in the ignition. On the spur of the moment he took the car, the temptation was too much for him.

"He now realises how stupid his behaviour was and accepts that the only appropriate disposal would be custody."

Sheriff James Scott also banned Hyland from driving for five years and ordered him to sit an extended test of competency before he can drive again.