Custody for drink-driver after footballer lost legs in crash

Arran Paterson admitted dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit

A drink-driver who caused a crash which resulted in a teenage footballer losing his legs has been detained for 32 months.

Goalkeeper Adam Golebiewski, 18, had been a passenger in Arran Paterson's car which crashed into a wall in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, in September last year.

Paterson, 19, previously admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, being over the drink-drive limit, and driving without insurance.

Mr Golebiewski urged people not to drink and drive and told BBC Scotland News: "It's a bit of relief, but still not enough for what damage he has caused - I lost my legs."

Adam Golebiewski needed a double amputation after the crash

Mr Golebiewski - who previously said he can never forgive Paterson - was able to walk into Aberdeen Sheriff Court unaided on his prosthetic legs, following intensive rehabilitation, for the case.

Sheriff Philip Mann told Paterson his driving, which was estimated at 90mph on 30mph road, had "devastating" consequences.

Sheriff Mann said nothing he could do could turn the clock back and change the consequences of the crash for the passengers.

He said he had a public duty to send out a strong message to anyone tempted to drink and drive.

Paterson admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and at excessive speed, losing control and colliding with a wall.

Apprentice builder Mr Golebiewski, from Banff, was one of three passengers in the car that crashed in Macduff's Union Road in the early hours of Sunday 8 September.

Victoria Kerr, for the Crown, told the court the £45,000 Audi involved was a courtesy car Paterson's mother had, and he was not insured to drive it.

In the early hours of the morning, Paterson was seen to drive off at speed with Mr Golebiewski and two other teenagers in the car.

The Audi ended up hitting a wall, spinning when airborne and landing on its roof. The female passenger could then be heard screaming.

CCTV footage of the crash was shown to the court on Friday.

Mr Golebiewski had to be removed from the car, and his legs had to be amputated below the knee in hospital.

The other two teenagers were also seriously injured.

Adam Golebiewski said he maintained a positive attitude

Defence solicitor Leonard Burkinshaw said Paterson took full responsibility for his actions, was "extremely remorseful", and wished it had not happened.

"It will live with him for the rest of his life," he said.

Mr Burkinshaw said he had made it clear to Paterson that the court could only take one view of the outcome.

Sheriff Mann told Paterson he had chosen to drive after drinking, and some months earlier had also committed an offence of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

"Drinking and driving carries immense risks," he said.

Sheriff Mann said he had driven at a grossly excessive and dangerous speed.

He said a 48-month sentence would be reduced to 32 months due to his guilty plea.

Paterson was also disqualified from driving for five years and four months.

Mr Golebiewski said afterwards that the sentence was the sheriff's decision.

"For me I am just glad it's all over and I can try to get on with the rest of my life."

Asked about the dangers of drink-driving, he said: "Please don't do it - it's all avoidable."

'I will never forgive that man'

The goalkeeper with junior side Deveronside faced three months of rehabilitation at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, and celebrated his 18th birthday in hospital.

He was able to walk again on crutches, and was "thankful and grateful" to be home with his family for Christmas.

Mr Golebiewski said: "I will never forgive that man for what he has done to me. I am still the same, I just don't have legs any more.

"I want to try to enjoy life again and stay positive. I'm trying to forget about him, forget about what's happened. It's hard to forget about it.

"I just have anger towards him. He's not just wrecked my life, but my family and friends as well."

Mr Golebiewski praised his friends and family for helping him through the past year.

"Everyone has kept me positive to be honest, they have helped me through everything and they will continue to help me through everything, that's just who they are and what they do," he said.