A young builder “panicked” after police tried to pull him over and then led them on a chase that was so dangerous officers had to abandon their pursuit.
Scott Cresswell, of Macduff, sped through Portsoy town centre as he was chased by police before hitting more than 80mph as he flew towards Cullen carrying out a number of unsafe overtakes.
Banff Sheriff Court heard how the Macduff man’s three passengers were left terrified as the silver Seat Ibiza weaved in and out of traffic, overtook on a blind corner, on double white lines and even while the vehicle ahead was indicating to turn right.
Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr said Cresswell hit 50mph in the town centre 30mph zone and more than 80mph once out of Portsoy heading north on the A98 towards Buckie.
She said: “Due to the dangerous nature of his driving, the police officers stood down the pursuit.”
Young builder ‘panicked’
Officers instead traced him the following day and, once cautioned and charged, Cresswell admitted the dangerous driving offence.
Defence agent Stuart Beveridge said Cresswell, who works as a builder, had “panicked”.
“He accepts it was entirely inappropriate behaviour on his part,” the solicitor said. “His only explanation is that he panicked when he realised he was going to be stopped by police.
“He has sold his car and now relies on public transport to get to and from work.
“His mum said he was associating with a bad crowd last year and he has broken off contact with them now.”
‘Could have fatal consequences’
Sheriff Robert McDonald said it was “quite shocking driving” involving overtakes which could have killed someone.
“You have no idea what you were getting into,” he said. “Overtaking when someone is trying to turn right could have fatal consequences. Similarly, on a blind corner you have no idea what you are getting on to there.
“You are 23 and with six points already and even that didn’t discourage you.”
He fined Cresswell, of Myrus Circle, Macduff, £840 and banned him from driving for 16 months.
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