Driver who hit three people with car while drunk sentenced to jail

A man who struck three pedestrians outside a nightclub while driving with more than triple the legal alcohol limit has been sentenced to prison. Christopher Parry, 57, hit multiple people and ran over another person's foot outside the Purple nightclub in Buckie, Moray, on 21 September last year.

Parry had previous convictions for drink driving and also admitted assaulting another clubgoer who had tried to prevent him from driving. At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Drummond sentenced him to four years in prison and imposed a six-year driving ban.

The court heard that a fellow clubber noticed Parry was intoxicated and attempted to stop him from leaving by reaching into the car and trying to take the keys. Despite this, Parry drove off, causing the man to fall. Parry then drove in circles around the car park, narrowly avoiding hitting the same man while he was still on the ground.

Parry continued driving toward the pavement outside the club, striking two additional pedestrians and knocking them down. He also ran over the foot of another man, resulting in a broken toe. Police later found Parrys car abandoned on the A98 at Castle Terrace in Cullen, Moray. Parry claimed that people were "trying to beat him up" as he left the nightclub.

During the trial, Parrys defense lawyer stated that his actions were out of character, noting his client had no previous convictions and had intended only to sleep off the effects of alcohol. The lawyer added that Parry had since stopped drinking entirely.

Lady Drummond emphasized that due to the severity of the crimes, imprisonment was the only suitable sentence.

Author: Lucas Grant