AN ARMY driver faces being booted out of the military after crashing into FOUR vehicles in a Port Glasgow street.

Soldier Ryan Smith, 27, caused carnage totalling a staggering £16,800 to his neighbours’ cars in Oronsay Avenue before fleeing the scene.

A sheriff has now banned him from driving for eight months, meaning he could lose his job at the Claro Barracks site in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Smith had been out with friends to watch a boxing match before driving a car home with two passengers at around 11.30pm on 27 September.

A witness who was walking her dog at the time claimed he was driving ‘at speed’ with music blaring and one person hanging out a window.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how the vehicle went out of control and careered into four cars.

Depute fiscal Kevin Doherty said: “As the vehicle continued at speed he lost control resulting in it colliding with a Ford Mondeo, a Skoda Octavia and then a Peugeot.

“The car travelled further, colliding with a Ford Ka with such force that it moved and struck a Vauxhall Vectra which itself was moved into the middle of the road.” Smith pled guilty to the offence ‘as well as failing to report the incident’ which happened just yards from his home address.

The court heard that the car he was driving was registered to a woman who stayed in the same home as him.

One of the vehicles involved suffered damages totalling £11,000 while another needed repairs costing £3,500.

Solicitor David Tod said: “The Army put him through his driving test to employ him as a driver.

“If he loses his licence he will cease to be a serving soldier.” Sheriff Tom Ward told Smith: “You caused £16,000 damage to five different cars and then scarpered.

“In the circumstances I cannot see how any court cannot find it proper to disqualify you.” Smith was also ordered to pay a £900 fine.

An Army spokesperson would not confirm today if Smith would be sacked as a soldier.

She said: “Military personnel who are found guilty of an offence in a civil court may also be subject to administrative action by their commanding officer.

“Administrative action may result in a range of outcomes, from censure to termination of service in the most serious of cases.”