Ryan Kelly and Cameron Brown had just walked out of Trinity High School, in Renfrew, when they were sent flying by Khalid Mahmood’s Vauxhall Combo.

Mahmood, who owns a shop in Bishopton, was making his way back to his home in the burgh town’s Afton Drive when he skidded off the road and hit the two pals, who were just 15 at the time.

He was charged with driving without due care and attention over the crash and went on trial at Paisley Sheriff Court this week.

Speaking of the crash, which happened in Glebe Street on August 28 last year, Kelly said he and his pal talking about football as they headed home.

The 16-year-old said that, as they were walking, Mahmood came and ploughed into them.

Kelly, who is currently a 5th year at the school, explained: “Cameron shouted, ‘watch!’ and he pushed me up on to the wall.

“I climbed up the wall. The car was going fast. It hit us both about the same time. My leg was trapped between the wall and the car. My whole leg was numb, I couldn’t feel it.

“I was shouting, ‘help, help!’ Cameron went and lay down, he was hurt as well. A person from across the road came and lifted me out.” Sheriff Seith Ireland was told that Kelly was rushed to the Southern General where he received treatment for his injuries.

He was on crutches for two weeks following the crash and has been left with a scar, about 3 or 4cm long, on his right ankle bone.

Brown, who is now a Dental Technician, also gave evidence.

He said: “I caught the van in the corner of my eye – it was skidding and coming towards us. It happened in seconds. The impact sent me back into a metal fence. He was going too fast.” The 16-year-old suffered elbow and shoulder injuries which still cause him pain.

He told officers probing the crash he could see smoke coming from the driver’s side of the van when it crashed.

Mahmood said there was “no pressure” in his brakes.

He explained: “My brake failed. I thought, ‘I’m going to hit him’, so I just braked and turned left. I went through the wall.” Mechanic Anthony McLafferty told the court that he worked on Mahmood’s van after the crash and found there was no pressure in the brakes.

After McLafferty, who has nearly 30 years’ experience as a mechanic, said that could have caused the crash, Sheriff Ireland cleared Mahmood.

He found the charge against Mahmood not proven and the 49-year-old walked free from court.