A DRIVER had life changing injuries after overturning a car weeks after being disqualified.

Louis McLaughlin, 26, raced round a corner at excessive speed and ploughed into a property in Mount Vernon on September 18, 2018.

The hired vehicle caught fire and McLaughlin was later removed from wreckage while in possession of a blade.

He was immediately sent to surgery with internal bleeding and was put on a ventilator.

McLaughlin pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to dangerous driving and without insurance.

He also admitted the unlawful possession of a knife in a public place.

McLaughlin had been disqualified from driving for 24 months on August 24, 2018, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

He ignored the ban as he drove down Baillieston Road in a BMW 3 series 25 days later.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He lost control failing to negotiate a left-hand bend.

“The vehicle crossed the centre lane on the carriageway on to the opposite carriageway and off the road, mounting a pavement before colliding with a fence and trees at the front of the property.

“The vehicle overturned and caught fire causing significant damage to the vehicle driven by McLaughlin and the homeowners’ vehicle costing £4000 to £5000 in damages to it.”

The homeowners heard a loud banging and went to assist McLaughlin who was later caught with a lock back knife by emergency services.

Mr Allan said McLaughlin had “life threatening injuries with the concern of internal bleeding in the bowel.”

He was sent to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and put on a ventilator before undergoing surgery.

McLaughlin also suffered a fractured left foot, fractured right collarbone and three facial fractures.

McLaughlin told officers that he was unable to remember the incident.

A police check discovered that he had been disqualified from driving.

Bob McCormack, defending, told the court that McLaughlin is “lucky to be alive” after his “life threatening injuries.”

The lawyer added: “The speed itself was not excessive but it was excessive for the circumstances.

“He was not familiar with the road and didn’t realise the bend was so angular where he was approaching it.

“The consequences of that are catastrophic to him, the vehicle and the surroundings.”

Sentence was deferred until next month pending background reports by sheriff Matthew Jackson QC who bailed McLaughlin, of Pollokshaws, meantime.