A careless driver caught doing 119mph on a Highland road has lost his licence for nine months.
Patrycjusz Deda’s black Audi was clocked going at almost twice the speed limit on the Ballachraggan Straight outside Alness.
The stretch of two way, undivided carriageway on the B817 has a speed limit of 60mph.
Deda, 26, appeared at Tain Sheriff Court where he pled guilty to a single charge of driving carelessly by driving at speeds of up to 119mph and failing to observe appropriate lane discipline on April 20 last year.
Fiscal depute Hilary Michopoulou told the court: “Police witnesses were monitoring traffic using a speed device.
Speeding driver clocked at 119mph
“They activated the speed device towards the accused’s car and recorded a speed of 119mph.”
Mrs Michopoulou said that the incident happened during daylight hours when the weather was dry and calm.
Solicitor Rory Gowans, for Deda, said that his client had been visiting a friend and was travelling home when he was tempted to put his foot down.
He said: “I think he saw a clear open road and accepts that he allowed his speed to get to a clearly unacceptable level.”
Mr Gowans explained that Deda, a full-time worker in the recycling industry, was likely to lose his job as a result of any driving ban imposed.
He said: “He wishes to convey his unreserved apology, he knows he has to be punished.”
Sheriff: Careless driver is ‘lucky’
Sheriff Gary Aitken told Deda: “You were travelling at almost twice the speed limit. You are exceptionally lucky that you didn’t hurt yourself or and one else.
“You have a previous conviction for speeding and, as you and Mr Gowans have rightly recognised, disqualification from driving is inevitable today.”
Sheriff Aitken fined Deda, of Kirkside, Alness, £470 and banned him from driving for nine months.
