A DRIVER is facing a lengthy jail term for causing a lorry carrying a 60-tonne load to flip over by deliberately crashing in to it.

Craig Thomson drove his car straight in to the path of the Scania HGV just outside Luss in the middle of the afternoon one day in October.

The force of the crash caused the HGV, which was carrying four 15-tonne ballast plates and was being driven by Paul Singer, to career out of control and flip on to its roof, trapping Mr Singer in the cab.

It took 40 minutes for fire crews to cut the two drivers from the wreckage of their respective vehicles, while two of the ballast plates blocked the carriageway

The details emerged this week when Thomson, 35, appeared in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to admit his guil

Thomson pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and causing Mr Singer serious injury on October 10.

Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald explained: “The accused parked his Vauxhall Astra in a layby off the northbound carriageway on the A82, one mile north of Luss.

“Paul Singer was driving his Scania HGV southbound.

“Mr Singer’s vehicle was carrying a load of crane ballast which was approximately 60-tonnes for the load plus the weight of the tractor and trailer.

“As he approached the layby the silver Vauxhall Astra drove straight out and in to the front of Mr Singer’s HGV.

“Mr Singer made attempts to swerve to avoid the accused’s vehicle and a head-on collision, and braked and swerved violently

The 60-tonne load was thrown from the vehicle and his lorry then flipped over, coming to a rest in the layby.

Officers raced to the scene and spoke to Thomson who said: “It didn’t work, I’m still here.”

Both men were taken to hospital for treatment, with Mr Singer having suffered two broken ribs, a punctured lung and a dislocated shoulder, while medics stapled a cut to Thomson’s head.

Sheriff William Gallacher slammed Thomson for his actions on the day in question, and remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing.

As he did so, he said: “I don’t pretend to understand the reason why you chose to do this in your own mind.

“It was an act of almost unmitigated wickedness.”

Thomson will be assessed by social workers ahead of sentencing and is due to learn his fate later this month.