A DRUNKEN golf fan who left his friend bedbound for months after crashing a car into a tree at a Loch Lomondside golf club has been spared prison.

First offender Adam Clark lost control of his vehicle on June 10 last year after spending the day with two friends at a tournament at Loch Lomond Golf Club near Luss.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday that a concierge vehicle had offered to take the trio to their accommodation but they declined just after midnight.

Later that evening, a discussion was started on how the group would get back to the lodges nearby where they were staying the night – and, the court was told, Clark stated he would be “fine to drive”.

The trio got into a car with Clark at the wheel – but despite being told repeatedly by his friends to slow down, the 48-year-old drove through the club’s grounds at speed, before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a tree.

Tuesday’s hearing was told that after the crash Clark said: “I’ve f***ed it up. We were all listening to loud music and I put the foot down and I f***ed it all up and ruined it.”

The court heard that one of Clark’s friends suffered a fractured hip, a fractured shoulder and a crushed sciatic nerve as a result of the crash, and had to undergo two surgeries, which had left him bedbound until December.

He will also need a hip replacement in the future.

The other passenger, the court was told, spent four days in a high dependency unit in hospital and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Clark was sentenced on April 4 after pleading guilty to culpably and recklessly driving his car at excessive speed whilst under the influence of alcohol, causing the car to collide with a tree and causing severe injury to his two friends.

Murdo Macleod KC, defending, told the court his Clark’s “undiagnosed bipolar disorder made him drink alcohol on impulse”.

Mr Macleod said: "He was under considerable stress and not sleeping well. He accepts that he was not coping at the time. 

“These factors combined provide context for the incident. 

"He decided on impulse to drive the two minutes from the clubhouse to the chalets. I would stress that it was never his intention to drive on a public road.

“He suffered whiplash, which is a sharp contrast to the injuries sustained by the two passengers, who were not wearing seatbelts.

"He is not seeking to excuse himself. It was an undiagnosed mental health disorder that played a part in the incident.

“He was required to undertake cognitive behavioural therapy. It is a genuine and heartfelt remorse that is a constant theme throughout. 

“He was inconsolable about the injuries suffered by his friends.

"He has made significant changes to his lifestyle and supports charities. He accepts full responsibility for his actions.

“It was a poor and serious error of judgment. He acknowledges that alcohol played a serious part.

“The undiagnosed condition makes him more likely to impulse. He hasn't had a drop of alcohol since.”

Sheriff Seith Ireland said: "This is a very anxious case for you, your wife, your family and the many people who have supported you. You are a man of good standing to the community and of a generous spirit.

“You have supported charities and I take regard to that.

"I also take regard to the serious nature of this offence, which led to particularly serious injuries.

“It is the type of case that would often lead to a custodial sentence being imposed. I have come to the view there is an alternative to custody that might be imposed upon you.

"Due to the appropriate steps you have taken, the appropriate diagnosis has been made and the treatment is in place [for his condition]. This will likely minimise any reoccurrence of this incident.

“You are full of remorse and you have expressed that on more than one occasion.

"I form the view that you will not be sent to prison."

As a direct alternative to custody Clark, of Chesters Road, Bearsden, was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work – the maximum allowed under the law.

He was also banned from driving for a year.