A drugs courier drove into oncoming traffic at “grossly excessive speeds” as police chased him along a busy north-east trunk road.
Keith Ellington was transporting almost £2,000 worth of cocaine between Laurencekirk and Portlethen, on the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee route, when police began following him.
During the pursuit, the 29-year-old “repeatedly” veered into the opposing carriageway, causing a crash and continuing despite one tyre of his blue Ford Transit van detaching.
Ellington, who did not have a driving licence at the time, was sentenced to 27 months in prison when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Sheriff William Summers told him it was “miraculous” that nobody was seriously injured during the ordeal on Tuesday, November 14.
He added: “The way that you drove almost defies description, it was breathtakingly reckless.”
Ellington, who appeared on remand from HMP Grampian, admitted driving dangerously between Lumgair at Stonehaven and Muirend Road in Portlethen.
Court papers state that, upon realising he was being pursued, Ellington “left the northbound carriageway and drove through the central reservation onto the opposing southbound carriageway”.
He then drove against the flow of traffic for more than 1.2 miles before returning to the northbound carriageway and “undertaking and overtaking other vehicles in an unsafe manner”.
The court heard that the van’s front offside tyre was deflated, and when Ellington again crossed onto the southbound section it detached from the vehicle, striking and damaging another car.
The accused then drove onto a slip road, again against the flow of traffic, and collided with a white Audi TT Coupe causing it damage.
Ellington confessed to driving at “grossly excessive speeds, in excess of the limit” throughout and “repeatedly causing other road users to take evasive action”.
He also admitted driving without insurance and without a licence, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Defence agent, Peter Shepherd, said his client had been battling drug addictions which he is now seeking to conquer.
Sheriff Summers banned Ellington from driving for six years, in addition to jailing him for 27 months.
He told the accused: “I have seen dash-cam footage from the police car, showing your futile attempt to evade capture.
“You showed utter disregard for the safety of other road users.
“It is little short of miraculous there were no serious injuries.”
