An “incredibly arrogant” north-east businessman drove over a road worker’s foot after ignoring closure signs and trying to pass repair works.
Mark Thomson of Birk Acres, Tornaveen, near Banchory, was found guilty of careless driving following a trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
The 48-year-old, who owns Thomson Timber, was fined £1,200 and had five penalty points added to his licence.
On Monday, July 2, 2018, Thomson ignored road closure signs leading up to the northern snow gate on Old Military Road, Cairn O’Mount.
When he made it to the gate at around 6.30am, he was approached by road worker, Neil Drever, who informed him that the road was closed and he couldn’t drive his silver 4×4 through.
Being questioned by fiscal depute, Susan Love, Mr Drever told the court that when he advised Thomson of this he replied “it doesn’t matter, I’m going through”.
Mr Drever said that Thomson then proceeded to drive forward, “twisting” his thumb in the process, which had been on the car window, causing “soft tissue damage and bruising”.
He said the indignant businessman also “ran over his steel capped boots”
“The car had driven off up the hill through the snow gate and then accelerated fast up the hill,” Mr Drever added.
Defence agent, Gregor Kelly, said it was his client’s position that there was “no specific signage” on the route he had taken and, although he was aware of the road closure, he believed it was open until 7am after hearing that on the radio.
Thomson explained he thought the gate was still open when he arrived at the spot.
Telling the court that he “wasn’t aggressive at all”, he added that there was “absolutely no possibility” he had misheard the information on the radio and that he “didn’t run over” Mr Drever’s foot.
Sheriff William Summers said Thomson’s actions were “incredibly arrogant” as well as “stupid”.
He added: “I accept the significant likelihood you thought the road was open until 7am but I also accept there were signs which made it absolutely clear the road was closed from 6,30am, and you drove past those signs.
“I do accept that you did drive over his toe.”
