Moment driver films his speedometer hitting 100mph in Snapchat video seconds before he crashed into the car in front of him and left woman paralysed

A driver filmed his speedometer hitting 100mph on Snapchat just seconds before he crashed into the car in front and tragically left a young woman paralysed.

Gavin Coull, 32, of Fraserburgh, was handed three years jail time after he uploaded the dashcam video to Snapchat called 'burning the midnight oil' which displayed the car's excessive speed moments before the impact.

The 27-year-old woman was then left paralysed from the neck down when the Ford Fiesta she was travelling in was hit from behind by Coull's BMW on the southbound lane of the A90 near Ellon, Aberdeenshire in March 2021.

Coull was sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday after a jury previously found him guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

The court heard how Coull and a fellow passenger were travelling on the dual carriageway late on the evening of 11th March 2021, the Crown Office said.

The collision caused the Fiesta to smash through crash barriers and tumble onto a grassy embankment off the A90, prosecutors said.

The court was told that the driver of the Fiesta also suffered serious injuries.

After the crash, a blood sample showed evidence of drugs in Coull's system.

Alison McKenzie, Procurator Fiscal for Aberdeen, said: 'This young woman suffered catastrophic injuries as a direct consequence of Gavin Coull's dangerous driving.

'In a split second, she was deprived of the normal and rich life she was entitled to expect.

'Yet she showed enormous bravery and courage in harrowing circumstances to give evidence to the court.

'Hopefully, she and her family will gain some comfort from the fact that justice has been served and that the accused will now spend time in prison as a result of his crimes.'

Coull was found guilty on 22 August following a trial at Peterhead Sheriff Court.

Police Sergeant Craig McNeill of the Road Policing Unit said: 'Coull's disregard for road safety has had a devastating impact on this young woman.

'His actions highlight the disastrous consequences of dangerous driving and the lasting impact it has on those involved, along with their families and friends.

'Drivers must obey speed limits and respect the safety of other road users. Drivers are responsible for their actions and the temptation to take risks can have severe and long-lasting consequences for everyone involved.'