Driver detained for 32 months after crash left teenage footballer without legs

A drink-driver who caused a crash that left a teenage footballer without both legs has been detained for 32 months at Aberdeen Sheriff Court."

Arran Paterson, 19, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit, after his car struck a wall on Union Road in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, in the early hours of September last year. The speed was estimated at about 90 mph on a 30 mph road, and three teenagers were injured, including Adam Golebiewski, then 18, who was a passenger in Paterson’s car. Golebiewski, a goalkeeper with Deveronside, had to endure a long recovery that culminated in amputations below the knee.

The court heard Paterson had previously admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while over the limit, and driving without insurance. Sheriff Philip Mann told Paterson his driving had had "devastating" consequences for the passengers and that nothing could reverse what happened. The judge said there was a public duty to send a strong message to anyone tempted to drink and drive.

Golebiewski and his two fellow passengers were among those injured when the car left Union Road and collided with a wall. The goalkeeper, who is from Banff, spent three months in rehabilitation at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen and celebrated his 18th birthday in hospital. He has since moved about on crutches and, with intensive rehabilitation, began adapting to life with prosthetic legs. In an interview shown to the court, Golebiewski said, "It’s a bit of relief, but still not enough for what damage he has caused - I lost my legs."

He also told BBC Scotland that he could never forgive Paterson for what happened. "Life is not over. I will never forgive that man for what he has done to me. I am still the same, I just don’t have legs any more," he said. He added that his friends and family had helped keep him positive through the past year, and he expressed a desire to enjoy life again while trying to forget the incident. CCTV footage of the crash was shown to the court on Friday as Paterson listened to the impact of his actions.

Paterson, described in court records as an apprentice builder from Banff, faced a sentencing that reflected the severity of the crash and its enduring effects on the victims and their families. Golebiewski’s experience underscored the lasting consequences of drink-driving, and the judge’s remarks highlighted the court’s intent to deter similar conduct in the community.

The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of drink-driving and its often life-altering consequences. Golebiewski’s family and supporters have spoken publicly about the support they have received during his rehabilitation, and his statements to BBC Scotland illustrate a determination to move forward despite the loss of his legs. The court’s ruling serves as a formal censure of the reckless decision that led to the crash and a reminder of the human cost behind such offenses.