A north-east teen has been banned from driving after being clocked at almost 100mph on a stretch of road notorious for boy-racers.
The 17-year-old from Ellon, who cannot be named for legal reasons, “accelerated” when police spotted her speeding on Aberdeen’s Beach Esplanade.
Appearing in Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, she admitted driving at 94mph on the 30mph road – and doing so in her mother’s car without insurance.
Yesterday the court heard the teen had risked her own life and those of her two passengers as she sped around a bend on the wet road before coming to a stop.
Police were carrying out speed checks in the area when they spotted her on a straight, heading in the direction of the Bridge of Don.
Fiscal depute, Ruaridh McAllister, said: “At 11.40pm police officers saw the accused’s vehicle being driven towards them.
“It appeared to them to be travelling well in excess of the speed limit – 94mph in a 30mph limit.
“As the vehicle grew closer to the police car, blue lights were activated indicating for the accused to stop.
“The accused then accelerated towards a left hand bend in the road at speeds of around 60mph.
“The vehicle braked and crossed the centre lines of the opposing carriageway before moving back into the centre of the road. The accused then stopped shortly after this.”
Representing the first offender, solicitor Gregor Kelly said his client had been suffering from mental health problems and felt she “had nothing to live for”.
He added: “It was only by police being there that perhaps there hadn’t been entirely different circumstances and the tragic loss of life of three young people.
“She realises this is an extremely serious matter. She accepts that was a selfish act.”
Sentencing the teen Sheriff Margaret Hodge said: “Charge two is a very serious offence and could have had tragic consequences for you and your friends.”
She was disqualified from the road for two years and placed under supervision for the same time period.
In September the law in Scotland changed, prohibiting the press from identifying accused people under the age of 18.
