A man who fled the scene of a crash he caused by ignoring a red light has avoided jail.
Lee Hutchison carried out a campaign of dangerous driving throughout Aberdeen on January 14 after he “got a shot” of a blue Audi Quattro.
The 28-year-old, who was uninsured at the time, was on the Lang Stracht when he decided to keep going through a red light.
And, once he collided with a car which was turning at the junction, he continued along Rousay Drive past Tesco and into Eday Road before turning back onto the Lang Stracht.
At the time, another driver who had witnessed the crash saw Hutchison veer back onto the road and decided to follow him, which caused the accused to continue with his dangerous behaviour.
Concerned that he was now being followed, he headed along the A944 and C89C Chapel of Stoneywood to Fairley Road, overtaking a line of traffic before undertaking another car.
And the witnesses who had continued to follow him watched as he overtook another vehicle while approaching a blind corner – causing another car to swerve out of his way.
Yesterday Hutchison appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to be sentenced, after previously admitting driving dangerously without insurance.
He also admitted failing to identify himself as the driver of the car to police officers.
Representing him, solicitor Mike Monro said his client was well aware of the seriousness of the offence and accepted he could be facing jail.
He added: “The situation here is that the incident of dangerous driving has not been viewed as anything other than serious.
“It was at one point exceptionally serious before some deletions were made to the charge, but nevertheless, it is still very troubling now.
“On the day in question, my client had a shot of the car from a place in Aberdeen known for selling vehicles that are past their best. He is an experienced driver and he does have a proper job.”
Sentencing Hutchison, of 123 Tollohill Drive, Sheriff Margaret Hodge said she had to protect the public from his behaviour that day.
She disqualified him from driving for 18 months and ordered him to carry out 9 hours of unpaid work within nine months.
He was also placed under supervision for a year.