A BLACK Watch corporal who mowed down four other soldiers was fined £600 for careless driving yesterday.
Kristofer Smith, 33, told a court he failed to see the four men, who were among a group marching along the road, because of the low sun and wet conditions.
As he and other soldiers gave first aid to the injured men, he shouted: “What have I done? I didn’t see them.”
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Privates Dean Tudor and Craig Smith and Sergeants Alan Bowe and Alan Murray were taken to hospital after the accident on the Old Military Road between Fort George and Ardersier in January 2015.
Ross Carvel, prosecuting, told Inverness Sheriff Court Smith saw the 30-strong group’s back markers and pulled out – but ran into the four soldiers on the outside of the group.
All suffered serious injuries but have now fully recovered.
Shahid Latif, defending, said his client, who admitted careless driving, was “distraught” and had apologised to the injured men.
He added: “He is held in high regard by his superiors and is on a clear path to promotion. His licence is
imperative to him.”
Fining Smith and endorsing his licence with five penalty points, Sheriff David Sutherland said: “It is clear this was made worse for you because it involved your colleagues.
“I take into account the wet road and low sun but we must always drive for the conditions that pertain.”
Smith declined to comment.