A MERRY X-SMASH ; Learner's Prank Misfires As He Crashes Dad's Car

By Gordon Currie

AN ARMY learner driver tried to hide his dad's car in a Christmas Day prank - but crashed it into a neighbour's house.

Soldier Graham Moffat, 18, thought it would be funny to move the car from the front of his home to the back to fool his father.

But he ended up being banned from driving for six months and fined pounds 650.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Moffat admitted driving carelessly and crashing through a roadsign then mounting the kerb inthe town last Christmas.

He ploughed through a garden and smashed several plant pots before crashing into a house in Bute Drive and dislodging the brickwork.

The soldier also admitted failing to stop and give his details and to having no licence or insurance.

The court was told it happened at 5.30am and the roads were icy.

The sign he crashed through warned about a bend in the road.

Moffat, of Crammond Place, Perth, was joined in court by his commander. David Holmes, defending, said: "It was his father's car and he went out to move it from the front of the house to the back.

"The vehicle slipped and the damage was caused. He hoped to become a driver within the army."

John Malpass, prosecuting, said police quickly found out that Moffat's dad was the owner of the car.

A number of people were held and questioned until Moffat finally admitted he was the driver.

Sheriff William Gilchrist told the soldier: "It may have been a prank but it went seriously wrong and could have had far more serious consequences.

"To take a car without insurance or a licence and then have an accident and fail to report that is serious."

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