Hasan Azam, a 19-year-old Arnold Clark vehicle technician apprentice, crashed a luxury Audi A3 into six vehicles at a garage in Glasgow's Whiteinch on October 14, 2025. Azam, who had held a full driving licence for just three months, admitted careless driving at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Crash Details and Aftermath
Prosecutor Tammy Gibson told the court that Azam was tasked to pick up the Audi A3 from the garage. He drove at speed and misjudged a bend on Clydeholm Road. The car mounted the pavement, collided with a metal boulder, and crashed into the car park, damaging multiple vehicles. Dramatic footage showed the black Audi RS3 flipped on its side, with its front completely destroyed and the engine visible. Hazard lights flickered and an inflated airbag was seen inside. A separate video showed a dark-coloured car racing along the road before losing control and skidding into the garage.
Damage to Customer Vehicles
The vehicles damaged were owned by customers and were not damaged prior to the incident. A Vauxhall Corsa was forced across the car park due to the significant impact, with its front bonnet and engine completely destroyed. The car also became wedged between two other vehicles. A Citroen Relay had a large dent on its front offside. A Hyundai I10 suffered extensive damage to its offside rear, with tail lights caved in and the rear window smashed. A Suzuki Vetara received scratches to its front near side. A Renault Kangoo had damage to its nearside, with its wingmirror hanging off and dents to its panelling. The Audi Azam was driving also sustained extensive damage and rolled onto its side upon impact.
Police and Court Proceedings
Police and emergency services were called, but no one was injured. When questioned, Azam told officers that he tried to use the brakes but they were not working. He pleaded guilty to careless driving, having initially faced a charge of dangerous driving. Dominic Sellar, defending, told the court: "He only had his full driving licence for three months. The road he was driving on was straight but there is a 90-degree bend which he approached and genuinely believed the brakes failed. There is a more likely explanation that he got confused by the pedal or his foot slipped on the pedal. He was wearing heavy steel toe capped boots and maybe stepped on the accelerator at the same time. This on one view was a catastrophic human error on his part and he accepts full responsibility."
Impact on Apprenticeship and Sentencing
The hearing was told that Azam lost his apprenticeship, which was two years into a three-year course, as a result of the incident. He is currently employed as a factory worker while he looks to complete the final year of his apprenticeship. Sheriff Simone Sweeney fined Azam £625 and put eight penalty points on his driving licence.
