A MAN is facing charges of crashing a car into a cemetery wall, leaving two passengers seriously injured, while under the influence of drugs.

David Whitelaw, 38, is said to have committed the offences while driving a Volkswagen Beetle in Hillington and Renfrew in May.

Prosecutors claim he drove the car dangerously and caused serious injury to passengers Amanda Jane Ryan and Nicola Kerr, in breach of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The indictment against Whitelaw alleges he repeatedly drove at excessive speeds, failed to slow down when requested to do so, ran red lights, nearly crashed into a lorry and crashed into a cemetery wall.

He denies a second charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice by asking the two women and a third passenger, David Brown, to tell police that another person was driving at the time of the incident.

Whitelaw faces a third charge of breaking the Road Traffic Act by using a car which was a danger to people, as the rear offside coil suspension spring was broken.

He had his first pre-trial hearing in connection with the alleged offences, which are said to have been committed in Arkleston Road, Renfrew, and in Hillington on May 2 this year, at Paisley Sheriff Court last week.

Whitelaw pleaded not guilty to all charges and Sheriff David Pender adjourned the case until November 20 for a trial to take place.