A BELFAST man who ploughed into an RTÉ film crew in the Boucher area of the city after losing control of his speeding car has been jailed for two years and four months.
Hugh McGrattan, from Whiterock Drive, admitted five counts of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving after ploughing into a group of around 15 people.
One of his victims, a woman, now 21, has been left with "life changing" spinal injuries and requires the use of a wheelchair, Belfast Crown Court heard.
McGrattan - who was driving at speeds up to 69mph in an area limited to 30mph - struck a kerb then collided with the group standing on the footpath.
The incident in the Falcon Road/Apollo Road area on the evening of November 30, 2015, resulted in five cast and crew members sustaining serious injuries.
As well as being sent to jail, McGrattan was also banned from driving for five years.
At the time of the collision, the road was illuminated both by street lighting and lighting from the film crew.
In addition, those involved in the documentary were all wearing high-vis clothing.
During today's sentencing Her Honour Judge McCaffrey spoke of the impact the incident has had on those affected, particularly a then 19-year old who at the time was running her own performing arts and dance business, and who is now in a wheelchair.
Describing her spinal injuries as "life-changing", Judge McCaffrey revealed that since the incident the woman can no longer carry on her chosen career, and now lives with her mother, who sold her house and bought a bungalow to suit her daughter's specific needs.
The judge also spoke of the effect the crash has had on others, including a cameraman who was unable to work for six months, and another victim who can no longer play sport as a result of his injuries.
Belfast Crown Court heard that while the 25-year old admitted at the scene he was speeding, he believes the victims also bore some responsibility as he feels they should have had signs in the area highlighting their presence.
On the evening of the crash the court heard MrGrattan drove past the film crew while showing a friend where Adelaide train halt was located.
It was on his return journey that McGrattan, while speeding failed to negotiate a bend, causing him to lose control of his silver Skoda Fabia.
One woman said she saw the car drive straight at the pedestrians and said it was "like a bowling ball" when it struck the group.
CCTV footage taken from a nearby train halt camera indicated that at one point McGrattan was travelling somewhere between 52 and 69mph.
Judge McCaffrey said he had shown a "total disregard for other road users", was "not paying attention to the potential hazards".
Mitigating factors however included the fact he stayed at the scene and offered assistance to the wounded, had no relevant convictions and had displayed remorse.
The judge also said that after reading medical reports, she accepted McGrattan's underlying depression and anxiety would be exacerbated by being sent to prison.
However, after highlighting the gravity of the offence and the impact the collision has had on those affected - some of whom sustained life-changing injuries - the judge said a prison sentence was "appropriate."
