A TEENAGER who drove his motorbike into a car, causing him and a passenger to fly into a windscreen, is lucky to be alive.
Ross Granger, 18, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on September 26 after he previously admitted dangerous driving, leaving the scene of an accident and not having insurance.
The resident of Elmbank Drive, Bonhill, was initially put on what's known as a structure deferred sentence after he pleaded guilty to the offences of October 8, 2022.
Fiscal depute Corey Laouadi told the court police had been alerted to an off-road motorcross bike driving dangerously at Dumbain Crescent, Alexandria.
Witnesses saw then 17-year-old Granger, with another person on the bike, travelling at excessive speed and unable to slow down or stop.
They collided with a vehicle at the junction with Buchanan Avenue, sending the pair flying into the windscreen of the car.
The driver and a passenger were "shocked by the collision" and jumped out to check on the pair.
Both were "apologetic about what had occured" before Granger said he had no ID and drove off.
When police caught up to Granger, he stated he was "freewheeling the bike down the hill".
And when charged, he repeated: "I wasn't driving, I was freewheeling."
Granger admitted dangerous driving with a punctured wheel, at excessive speed, failing to give way and colliding with the other driver.
Defence solicitor Stephen McGuire said: "He has not been near a bike since."
Sheriff Maxwell Hendry was blunt: "You and your friend could be dead. It's as simple as that.
"I hope this is a lesson learned and a lesson you remember for the rest of your life."
He banned Granger from driving for 12 months and he must resit the test before he can get on the road again.
The teenager will be under the supervision of social workers for the next year, during which time he must also do 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.
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