Women hit by drunk driver after Hogmanay bells

A DRUNKEN hit-and-run driver mowed down two women and left them lying in the street just minutes after they celebrated the bells at New Year.

Ailsa Howden and her friend Necole Stewart

Neil Wylie was banned from driving yesterday after he admitted responsibility.

Ailsa Howden, 19, and her friend Necole Stewart, 20, were crossing Perth High Street when Wylie ploughed into them, knocking them up in the air.

The two women were left lying in pain in the street and had to be taken to hospital after Wylie – who was drunk – drove off.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Wylie, 52, admitted driving dangerously and knocking down and injuring both women.

He also admitted fleeing the scene of a crash and failing to report the accident or stopping to give his details in Perth’s George Street on 1 January.

Wylie, of Perth, also admitted driving under the influence of drink and was banned from driving on an interim basis by Sheriff Fiona Tait.

She deferred sentence for reports.

Miss Howden, from Perthshire, described how she was left with concussion and a suspected broken nose while her friend Miss Stewart suffered a gash to her leg.