A police officer destroyed part of a house and left the owner injured when she forgot to engage a handbrake and her car rolled out of control.
PC Rachel Hutchison’s empty Fiat 500 rolled downhill and crossed a junction before slamming into a home and smashing two of the external walls.
John McNeil was sitting at his desk when the car ploughed into his home and shunted a bed against his ankle and injured him.
Hutchison, 25, admitted she left her car in the street without the parking brake engaged in Juniper Place, Perth, in January last year.
At Perth sheriff court yesterday, the fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson said: “The car had been left in neutral but the handbrake had not been set correctly. Witnesses exited the property and observed the vehicle. At this point, the accused appeared and identified herself as the owner of the vehicle. She informed them that she didn’t know what had happened. Police were contacted and attended the scene. The vehicle was found to be unlocked.”
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Hutchison was cautioned by a fellow police officer and made no reply when she was charged. McNeil is still receiving physiotherapy.
Hutchison, who had faced an alternative charge of culpable and reckless conduct until she admitted the lesser charge, was fined £500 by Sheriff William Wood. She was not banned from driving.
The more serious alternative charge alleged that she exposed a further occupant of the house, Karen Wilkie, to the risk of injury. It is alleged other road users and pedestrians were also exposed to risk of injury.
Addressing Hutchison, Sheriff Wood said: “This appears to have been no more than a mistake on your part, by failing to fully apply the handbrake.”