By Mike McQuaid
Contributor
A police officer suffered serious spinal injuries after a drunk driver’s speeding car ploughed into his parked vehicle.
David Hyslop’s career as a frontline officer could be over following the crash, a court was told.
IT consultant Graham Forrest (pictured below), 42, was jailed for 14 months at Airdrie Sheriff Court after admitting causing serious injury by driving dangerously while under the influence of alcohol.
The collision happened on the B802 near Craiglinn roundabout, Cumbernauld, around 2.30pm on Christmas Eve in 2024.
Hyslop was off-duty and had parked his Mazda car at a bus stop to make a phone call.
Annette Ward, prosecuting, told the court: “He put the vehicle in neutral gear, applied the handbrake and activated his hazard lights.
“Forrest was driving his Audi S3 in the same direction. He negotiated a left-hand bend at high speed and lost control of his vehicle which mounted a grass verge and collided with the rear of Mr Hyslop’s car, shunting it forward 10 metres.
“Witnesses stopped to help but Forrest got out of his vehicle and began speaking on his phone.
“He didn’t provide any assistance to Mr Hyslop who was trapped in his vehicle and suffering excruciating back pain that caused him breathing difficulties.
“Ambulance personnel arrived and used a device to stabilise Mr Hyslop before he was freed and taken to hospital.”
Police officers detected a “strong” smell of alcohol from Forrest who vomited several times at the roadside.
Ward stated: “He didn’t require medical attention. A bottle containing a clear liquid was recovered from the footwell of his car. The liquid had a strong smell of alcohol.”
Hyslop suffered spinal injuries including two fractures and required 24-hour care for a period following three days in hospital.
The fiscal added: “He has not made a full recovery and has not returned to work. This has had a financial impact due to loss of overtime and promotion opportunities.
“He might not be able to return to frontline policing and is on daily medication for pain.
“Although he can walk short distances unaided, he suffers numbness in both legs and has been referred to a spinal specialist.”
Defence lawyer Michael Lyon said first offender Forrest has not driven since the crash and has no intention of ever doing so again.
Lyon stated: “He recognises this is an extremely serious offence and the prospect of custody terrifies him.
“Around the time of this incident his mental health was deteriorating which led to an increase in his alcohol consumption.
“He should never have gone near a vehicle, such was his frame of mind.”
Sheriff Paul Haran told Forrest: “Instead of going home to his family, Mr Hyslop spent Christmas in hospital with serious spinal injuries.
“He has not yet made a full recovery and it’s unclear if he ever will.
“No doubt your remorse is genuine but the court must express society’s disapproval of such behaviour and there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Forrest was banned from driving for 37 months and must re-sit his test if he wants to drive again.