A north-east man will miss the chance to say goodbye to his dying father – after being jailed for leading police on a car chase and driving while disqualified.
Serial road offender, David Gilchrist, discovered his father had been released from hospital on Thursday and was in palliative care in his home and decided to get into his partner’s car to drive to see him.
He was then spotted by police outside the Morrison’s on Blackhall Road in Inverurie and officers thought there was an issue with the car’s MOT.
They decided to follow Gilchrist who drove out of the town onto the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen road.
They indicated they wanted him to pull over, but he refused to do so and continued to lead them down the road before doubling back on himself and heading back into Inverurie where officers were able to stop him.
The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance, failing to stop for police and using a phone while driving during an appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Representing Gilchrist, of Market Place in Inverurie, defence agent Stuart Murray asked for his client to be released for four weeks to visit his terminally ill father.
He said: “He had just discovered his father had been released from hospital when he got into the car which belonged to his partner.
“He was on his way to see him.
“I would ask you to release him for four weeks to allow him to say goodbye to his father before he returns for a custodial sentence.”
However sheriff Christine McCrossan declined the request for Gilchrist, who has ten previous road traffic offences and was disqualified until January next year.
She said: “Given you repeatedly drive while disqualified, I am going to sentence you to 11 months imprisonment.”
