A recent court sentencing has sent a stark warning to dangerous drivers across the region, as a young man was jailed following a horrific high-speed collision on an Angus road. The incident, which left a woman seriously injured and the community reeling, has prompted discussions about road safety, particularly in areas like Perth and Kinross, which share busy routes with neighbouring Angus.
Brett Low, 20, was the driver at the centre of the catastrophic event that occurred on the A928, a main artery connecting Glamis and Kirriemuir, just a short distance from the Perthshire border. The early hours of February 17, 2024, witnessed his Audi A3 violently collide with a Vauxhall Astra, fundamentally altering the lives of its occupants.
Following the impact, Low’s behaviour was described as astonishingly callous. Instead of offering immediate aid, he reportedly questioned the other driver, asking: “Mate, you’re no’ on the phone to the police are you?” He then made a flimsy excuse about needing a toilet and vanished into a nearby wooded area, leaving the injured couple at the scene. The husband, left to grapple with the aftermath, was forced to contact emergency services for his wife, who believed she was suffering a heart attack. Subsequent medical assessments revealed she had sustained a broken sternum, a painful and frightening injury. The Driver’s Reckless Conduct and Criminal History
Low’s flight from the scene triggered a police search, eventually leading officers to a McDonald’s restaurant in Forfar. He was found there, covered in mud and blood, prompting staff to alert authorities. Upon apprehension, it was discovered he was in possession of a lock knife and a quantity of cocaine valued at approximately £800, which he intended to supply. Furthermore, tests confirmed the presence of Delta-9-THC, the active component of cannabis, in his system while driving.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Low faced a litany of charges. He admitted causing serious injury through dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without insurance, fleeing the scene of an accident, driving under the influence of drugs, and possessing both a weapon and controlled substances with intent to distribute. His defence lawyer cited a challenging personal period, including the recent loss of his grandfather, as a contributing factor to his client’s poor judgement that night. The court also heard that Low himself sustained a significant knee injury in the crash, requiring hospitalisation and surgery, from which he is now said to be recovering. A Stern Warning from the Bench
The severity of Low’s actions was not lost on Sheriff Alastair Carmichael, who delivered a powerful condemnation during sentencing. Addressing Low directly, the Sheriff stated, ‘You drove your vehicle dangerously, at excessive speed, in the wee small hours, while under the influence of drugs, collided with another vehicle that could do nothing to avoid your car other than to brake. As a result, [the complainer] who was a passenger in the other car was seriously injured. Others were also injured. You then fled.’
The Sheriff continued his rebuke, articulating a sentiment likely shared by many across Perthshire: ‘In short, you were the nightmare driver none of us ever want to meet on the road. You also had £800 worth of cocaine in your possession along with a lock-knife. Despite your age, there is no reasonable alternative to a custodial sentence.’
In light of his egregious conduct, Low, whose address was given as Springbank Road in Alyth, Perthshire, was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He also received a 20-month driving ban, which will remain in effect until he successfully completes an extended driving test. As he was led from the dock, he offered words to his emotional supporters in the public gallery. This case serves as a grave reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless behaviour on the roads, impacting not only direct victims but also the broader community’s sense of security.
Brett Low, 20, was the driver at the centre of the catastrophic event that occurred on the A928, a main artery connecting Glamis and Kirriemuir, just a short distance from the Perthshire border. The early hours of February 17, 2024, witnessed his Audi A3 violently collide with a Vauxhall Astra, fundamentally altering the lives of its occupants.
Following the impact, Low’s behaviour was described as astonishingly callous. Instead of offering immediate aid, he reportedly questioned the other driver, asking: “Mate, you’re no’ on the phone to the police are you?” He then made a flimsy excuse about needing a toilet and vanished into a nearby wooded area, leaving the injured couple at the scene. The husband, left to grapple with the aftermath, was forced to contact emergency services for his wife, who believed she was suffering a heart attack. Subsequent medical assessments revealed she had sustained a broken sternum, a painful and frightening injury. The Driver’s Reckless Conduct and Criminal History
Low’s flight from the scene triggered a police search, eventually leading officers to a McDonald’s restaurant in Forfar. He was found there, covered in mud and blood, prompting staff to alert authorities. Upon apprehension, it was discovered he was in possession of a lock knife and a quantity of cocaine valued at approximately £800, which he intended to supply. Furthermore, tests confirmed the presence of Delta-9-THC, the active component of cannabis, in his system while driving.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Low faced a litany of charges. He admitted causing serious injury through dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without insurance, fleeing the scene of an accident, driving under the influence of drugs, and possessing both a weapon and controlled substances with intent to distribute. His defence lawyer cited a challenging personal period, including the recent loss of his grandfather, as a contributing factor to his client’s poor judgement that night. The court also heard that Low himself sustained a significant knee injury in the crash, requiring hospitalisation and surgery, from which he is now said to be recovering. A Stern Warning from the Bench
The severity of Low’s actions was not lost on Sheriff Alastair Carmichael, who delivered a powerful condemnation during sentencing. Addressing Low directly, the Sheriff stated, ‘You drove your vehicle dangerously, at excessive speed, in the wee small hours, while under the influence of drugs, collided with another vehicle that could do nothing to avoid your car other than to brake. As a result, [the complainer] who was a passenger in the other car was seriously injured. Others were also injured. You then fled.’
The Sheriff continued his rebuke, articulating a sentiment likely shared by many across Perthshire: ‘In short, you were the nightmare driver none of us ever want to meet on the road. You also had £800 worth of cocaine in your possession along with a lock-knife. Despite your age, there is no reasonable alternative to a custodial sentence.’
In light of his egregious conduct, Low, whose address was given as Springbank Road in Alyth, Perthshire, was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He also received a 20-month driving ban, which will remain in effect until he successfully completes an extended driving test. As he was led from the dock, he offered words to his emotional supporters in the public gallery. This case serves as a grave reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless behaviour on the roads, impacting not only direct victims but also the broader community’s sense of security.