A learner driver who drove a BMW into a footbridge and injured one of his passengers has been jailed.

John Duncan only had six driving lessons and hadn't passed his test when he smashed into the overpass on a dual carriageway in Dundee causing £60,000 worth of damage.

Duncan only had his car for 36 hours when he was spotted driving at "grossly excessive" speed on the Kingsway.

Duncan, 23, of Beauly Crescent, Dundee, was jailed for 17 months at Dundee Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance on January 21.

The court heard Duncan lost control driving too fast on a roundabout at the dual carriageway's junction with Strathmartine Road and drove into a safety barrier.

He went through the barrier and smashed into a set of concrete steps leading to a pedestrian bridge.

The stairs were completely destroyed and the bridge remains closed six months on with an estimated repair bill of £60,000.

A sheriff told Duncan he was lucky not to have killed someone.

Fiscal depute Susan Ruta said Duncan had only been released from prison a few months earlier after serving another sentence.

She said: "About 5.20am members of staff at a garage on Kingsway saw him enter, then exit the forecourt at excessive speed.

"He drove off down the A90 Kingsway and a few minutes later approached the roundabout driving at grossly excessive speed.

"He attempted to negotiate it but took it too wide. He moved through the safety barrier and collided with the footbridge, causing significant damage.

"One of his passengers was taken to Ninewells Hospital with a cut to her forehead and significant swelling to her eye."

Solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin, defending, said: "He had been given driving lessons for Christmas and had taken six and in the excitement of being able to drive, bought the car.

"The people he was driving that night had asked him for a favour and the temptation was too much for him."

Sheriff Alastair Brown jailed Duncan for a total of 17 months, five months of which was outstanding from his licence on his previous offence.

Duncan was also banned from driving for three years and eight months and ordered to sit the extended driving test if he wants a licence.

Sheriff Brown said: "You shouldn't have been anywhere near a car that night. You were incompetent and over-confident."