Glasgow student sentenced after admitting to involvement in hit and run

She claimed she only intended to frighten the victim

1 month ago

A Glasgow student has been sentenced following her involvement in a hit and run.

Jaime Leigh McGregor, 27, struck a man with her car during a street disturbance in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, last year. The incident—which was caught on camera—quickly spread across social media.

On the night of 15th March 2022, McGregor was behind the wheel of a hired Toyota C-HR when she collided with Christopher Leitch, a local man attempting to block the road with bins. Amid rising tensions, McGregor accelerated towards Mr Leitch, and despite attempting to brake and avoid him, the car hit both a bin and the victim, throwing him to the ground.

Fortunately, Mr Leitch escaped without serious injury. However, the footage—which had gone viral—triggered a police investigation, leading to McGregor’s arrest. Audio from McGregor’s phone, recorded accidentally during the incident, revealed her panicking and visibly distressed as the scene unfolded.

According to Clydebank Post, the court was told that the event stemmed from an ongoing dispute involving McGregor’s then-boyfriend, James Lang, 32, and his former partners. McGregor admitted to the assault, claiming she had been “scared and distressed” at the time and only intended to frighten the victim.

Defence Counsel Euan Dow supported her account, saying: “Obviously the vehicle clipped the complainer and there was clearly potential for serious injury.”

He added that McGregor was “visibly upset, shaking and crying” after the incident and has since expressed remorse.

Mr Dow also noted that this was out of character for McGregor, and was an “isolated incident”.

Despite the gravity of the offence, Judge Lord Fairley concluded that the attack was not premeditated and occurred in a moment of panic. He told McGregor: “Fortunately for you, no serious injury was caused to the complainer.”