A VAN driver who left three people hurt when he ploughed into them at a bus stop in the centre of Clydebank during the morning rush hour has been fined and handed just three penalty points.

The lenient punishment was given to Douglas Chestnut after a court hearing was told he had already had his licence taken away for 14 months by the DVLA because he was found to be suffering from epilepsy.

Chestnut, 55, had previously been convicted of careless driving following an incident in Kilbowie Road during the morning rush hour in which he lost control of his vehicle, swerved across the carriageway, mounted a pavement, and collided with three pedestrians – including a 15-year-old boy – and with a bus shelter.

The Post reported at the time that the boy, along with a 43-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, were injured when a Hiflow-branded van struck them at the bus stop opposite Crown Avenue, near the junction with Drumry Road, at 7.44am on April 28, 2017.

The woman was found in front of the vehicle at the corner of Drumry Road.

Shockingly, the man was said to have ended up behind the wall next to the bus stop after being hit by the vehicle.

The terrified teen was still sitting in the bus stop when local shop workers rushed to his aid.

One witness described how the schoolboy was “dazed and bleeding” following the accident.

While another described the scene after the crash as “total carnage”, with “wall-to-wall police vans” along that stretch of the road.

Chestnut, and the three pedestrians, were taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment.

Chestnut’s lawyer, Scott Adair, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday: “The ultimate position is that he has been off the road for about 14 months in terms of the DVLA’s position that this was an epileptic incident.”

Chestnut, of Campbell Drive in Barrhead, was originally charged with causing serious injury to the three pedestrians as a result of driving dangerously.

But he was later convicted by Sheriff William Gallacher of the less serious charge of careless and inconsiderate driving.

Mr Adair told the court: “The conviction, in my submission, would not have led to a 14-month ban in its own right.”

Mr Adair added that Chestnut had recently qualified as a plumbing and heating engineer and had secured the prospect of employment.

Sentencing, Sheriff Gallacher said: “The endorsation I impose will be recorded as the outcome of this matter.

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“What I am doing by way of an endorsation should not reflect my true view of the gravity of this offence.

“It is almost a token, but I cannot properly reflect the lack of care taken in relation to this matter.

“The penalty I impose is designed to take account of the period in which his licence was not in his possession.”

Chestnut was fined £300 and was given three penalty points.