An Aberdeenshire barman who only held a provisional licence has been disqualified from driving after he took police on a high-speed car chase.
Shane Williamson-Greening drove over a grass verge in order to escape officers, who had discovered his Honda Hybrid CRV had no licence or insurance.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that Williamson-Greening veered into opposing lanes of traffic while driving at 90mph on rural roads.
The chase culminated in the 20-year-old abandoning the car and running into a field where he was swiftly apprehended by officers.
Fiscal depute Sean Ambrose told the court that at around 3.20am on August 6 this year Williamson-Greening’s grey Honda CRV came to the attention of police due to being parked in a layby near Oyne.
A Police National Computer (PNC) check by the officers told them that Williamson-Greening was the owner of the vehicle, but did not have a driving licence or insurance.
Police attempted to block his vehicle but Williamson-Greening revved the engine and drove up on a grass verge in order to escape.
Williamson-Greening took off up the A96 towards Pitcaple driving at “excessive speed” and at times hitting 90mph, Mr Ambrose said.
As he entered the village of Whiteford, Williamson-Greening was seen driving at 65mph in a 30mph area and “could have caused a serious head-on collision”.
He then tore off at 75mph where he continued to take blind corners while on the wrong side of the road.
Police deemed Williamson-Greening’s driving to be “high risk” and aborted the pursuit.
However, soon after they found his vehicle parked up near farmland close to Inverurie and found Williamson-Greening attempting to escape through a nearby field.
Williamson-Greening, a hotel barman, pleaded guilty to five charges, including dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving without a licence or insurance.
‘Extremely fortunate this didn’t end in catastrophe’
Defence agent Michael Burnett described his client’s actions were a “matter of deep regret to him”.
“He panicked as he knew that he was only a learner with no licence of insurance – he knew that the vehicle wasn’t legal,” Mr Burnett said.
“Had he just stayed put he would just have some points on his licence.
“There was absolutely no need for what came after.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Williamson-Greening he was “extremely fortunate” the incident didn’t “end in catastrophe”.
“Your solicitor is absolutely correct by stating this could have been dealt with in a completely different way,” he said.
“Instead of that, you set off on this course of dangerous driving.”
Sheriff Miller disqualified Williamson-Greening, of Lumsden Court, Huntly, from driving for 20 months and fined him £420.
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