A drink-driver has been fined and banned from the road after police in an unmarked car clocked him driving at twice the speed limit.
Mark Astill overtook an unmarked police car in his white Audi on Holburn Street – before zooming off at 60mph, despite the 30mph limit.
When officers caught up and pulled him over they noticed a smell of alcohol.
A breath test confirmed their suspicions and the 44-year-old was arrested.
Fiscal depute Emma Petersen told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “Around 2.20am on October 17, police were on mobile patrol in an unmarked police vehicle on Holburn Street.
“They were at a red light when officers noticed a white Audi approaching quickly from behind.
“Upon the light turning green, the police vehicle moved off and the white Audi performed an overtake, accelerating up to approximately 60mph, contrary to the 30mph limit.”
Police stopped the vehicle shortly after on Great Southern Road and Astill was identified as the driver.
Ms Petersen added: “Upon speaking with the accused, the officers noted he was slurring his words and there was a strong smell of alcohol emanating from him.”
On being asked to provide a breath sample, Astill replied: “I won’t lie to you, I’ve been drinking.”
‘I put my hands up and that was it’
The breath test confirmed this and he was arrested.
Astill, of Redmoss Walk, Aberdeen, pled guilty to driving with 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.
Appearing without a solicitor, Astill told the court: “The previous offences I have had were over 20 years ago and I didn’t have a licence at that time.
“This is the first offence since I passed my test about 14 years ago.
“I just want to say I fully co-operated with the police at the time. I put my hands up and that was it.”
Sheriff Ian Miller fined Astill £420 and banned him from driving for 16 months.
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