Crime gang boss killed 3 mates in horror 127mph motorway smash with employed Audi
A notorious crime gang leader killed three mates in a terrifying 127mph motorway crash.
Lee Docherty, 38, dozed off behind the wheel of a rented Audi Q7 on the M8 near Bishopton in Renfrewshire in the early hours of September 19, 2021.
At the time, seven of his associates were crammed into the powerful 4×4. Mark Downie, 31, David Paton and Manveer Benning, both 27, lost their lives following the high-speed collision. The remaining four passengers were severely injured.
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Today, Docherty appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where he admitted to causing the deaths by dangerous driving.
Earlier this year in April, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for leading a drug gang operating from a heavily fortified block of flats in Greenock, Inverclyde, known as “the shop.” Lord Clark today added an extra nine years to his sentence for this latest offence, reports the Daily Record.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell revealed how Docherty and his associates had previously been at a club in Glasgow city centre. All eight then piled into the Audi – designed to hold just seven people – first heading to a nearby flat before setting off and eventually travelling on the M8.
Mr Farrell stated that Docherty reached a “recorded speed of up to 127mph”, which he described as “grossly excessive”. The court heard how the Audi drifted onto the hard shoulder near junction 31 of the M8 and onto the kerb, ending up on an embankment.
(Image: Police Scotland)
The 4×4 flipped over the edge, smashing through a fence and two trees before landing upside down.
Shockingly, seven out of the eight lads crammed into the Audi weren’t strapped in with seat belts.
The three who didn’t survive were found outside the wrecked vehicle.
Mr Farrell revealed: “The crash investigator indicated that Docherty caused the Audi to drift towards the nearside of the motorway in a manner which indicates he was falling asleep.”
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The survivors – Brendan Gillan, Dylan McFadyen, Michael Munro and Brendan Balloch – were all rushed to hospital after the horrific accident.
Docherty from Gourock, Inverclyde, was reportedly “in shock” post-crash.
His KC, Thomas Ross said: “I have to acknowledge the emotional pain suffered by the bereaved.
“The knowledge that he has caused all of that would weigh heavily upon him even if it were strangers.
“But, these were all close friends. Whatever the sentence, this is a matter that he will have to live with.
“It must also be said that the mother of Mark Downie and the partner of David Paton – in an extraordinary gesture of compassion – bear him no ill will.”
“They take the view it would have been the last thing in the world he would have wanted to happen.
“In the circumstances, they are prepared to forgive him.”
The court was told that Docherty had a past drugs conviction and had been previously banged up for attempted murder back in 2000.
Lord Clark stated that the sentence would have been 12 years if not for the guilty plea.
The judge added: “There is no sentence that can begin to alleviate the impact on the family members of the deceased and the others involved.”
In addition, Docherty has been disqualified from driving for a total of 14 and a half years.
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