SNS GroupA motorcyclist who left his friend with a fractured spine and shoulder after driving dangerously and crashing has avoided jail.
Bernard Mullen, 32, collided with a fence, which caused him and his pillion passenger to fall off on April 6, 2023.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that police officers initially spotted the pair on an off-road Kawasaki KC 125 cc in the city’s Barlanark.
Mullen was seen to drive on the pavement with his friend sitting behind him.
Prosecutor Darren Harty said: “Mullen then began accelerating along the pavement towards where the police car was parked.
“He continued to accelerate, and Mullen began to lose control of the motorbike.
“As the motorbike passed the parked police car, [the pillion passenger] kicked the vehicle with his right foot.
“This caused Mullen to fully lose control of the motorbike, causing it to veer into a boundary fence.”
Both of the men fell under the motorcycle, which flipped over and landed on the ground.
Mullen’s head struck the fence, and his helmet fell off immediately after.
The men were taken to hospital by ambulance 20 minutes later.
Mr Harty stated that Mullen’s friend suffered spinal fractures, a fractured shoulder and a large wound to his head which required staples and stitches.
A facial and tongue wound required stitches, and he also sustained bruising to his left eye.
Mullen received nine fractures to his spine as well as a wound to his head and face.
The head injury required 19 staples to close.
Mullen pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He also admitted to driving without insurance.
He was tagged for six months at sentencing by Sheriff Shona Gilroy.
The order will run from 7pm until 7am every day except on Tuesdays, when it changes to 10pm until 7am.
Mullen was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and put under supervision for one year.
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