SNS GroupA banned driver who left his friend with life-changing injuries after a motorcycle crash has been jailed for 30 months.
Scott Callaghan propelled his pillion passenger into the air after driving at excessive speed and striking a kerb in Anniesland on August 17, 2023.
The 31-year-old had a small trace of alcohol in his system.
His passenger was in hospital for six months with medics determining he was paralysed below the chest.
He also suffered further “life-changing” injuries, which included a number of fractures to his body.
Dad-of-three Callaghan pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing serious injury to the man by dangerous driving.
Sheriff John McCormick said: “You were a disqualified driver at the time, which is an aggravating factor.
“Due to [the victim’s] injuries, you are realistic that there is no alternative to a substantial custodial sentence.
“You were 30 at the time and not an immature teenager – you chose to drive in that manner.”
The sheriff also disqualified Callaghan from driving for a period of eight years.
The court earlier heard that Callaghan, of Knightswood, was driving the Yamaha off-road bike to a field at 10.19pm.
Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: “He drove at excessive speed and sharply braked and collided with a pavement.
“The bike became airborne, and it collided into a metal fence,e which caused [the passenger] to be propelled into the air.
“He travelled seven metres before he landed on the ground.”
Both men, who were not wearing protective helmets, were found severely injured at the scene.
The passenger was conscious and breathing but did not react to pain.
He was taken to the hospital where he was found to have sustained a string of injuries described as “life-changing.”
This included a fracture to his vertebrae, a scalp bone fracture, a nasal bone fracture, as well as scarring to his neck.
Miss Keel added: “He suffered complete paralysis below his chest, which will be lifelong.
“He will be a full-time wheelchair user and will require assistance to his bed, a car, and the toilet.
“His left hand is weak and will need assistance to carry out daily activities for the rest of his life.”
The fiscal depute further stated that there is a risk of a spinal cord injury and there was an injury to his bladder and bowel.
The hearing was told that Callaghan also sustained injuries, which included a broken arm and fractured pelvis.
An alcohol test on Callaghan showed that he had a minor amount in his system, but not enough to take him over the drink drive limit.
Calum Weir, defending, told the sentencing: “He knows a catastrophic error of judgement has had a devastating impact on two families.”
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