A serial dangerous driver led police on a high-speed chase across the Highlands, overtaking on blind bends, forcing other vehicles off the road and driving 70mph on residential streets.
Alexander Burke sped away from officers in Evanton who tried to stop him when a check of a police database identified an issue with his vehicle.
The chase went over the Struie and back to Tain, where Burke drove on pathways and grassy areas to evade capture.
Burke, 30, appeared from custody at Tain Sheriff Court today to admit to a charge of dangerous driving last month.
Sheriff Neil Wilson was shown a list of the serial offender’s previous convictions, including two for dangerous driving.
Previous dangerous driving convictions
The first involved a blue-light pursuit, during which police officers saw Burke’s car “leave the ground completely” after hitting a traffic calming measure at speed on July 5 2023.
Then, on July 11 the same year, Burke flipped a car on the A9 soon after driving it away without paying for it.
The latest incident unfolded around 12.40pm on May 4 of this year when a check of the police national computer flagged Burke’s car.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver told the court it was as a result of this that officers “activated blue lights and attempted to stop the car,” adding that Burke “failed to do so and drove away at speed”.
The court heard that the car was driven at high speed on the B817 towards Alness, overtaking other vehicles.
Driver’s blind corner overtakes
Burke then turned left onto the B9176 Struie Road, known as the Struie, and continued for 15 miles, driving in a dangerous manner that included “overtaking on blind corners”, the fiscal depute said.
At the end of the Struie, Burke turned to the east, heading for the Dornoch Bridge roundabout, then travelled nine miles “at speed” towards the A9.
He then headed south towards Tain, still at speed.
Burke veered into the path of oncoming traffic as he overtook, forcing other drivers onto the verge to avoid head-on collisions.
When he turned left into Tain, he was seen driving at 70mph heading into a 20mph zone.
The chase continued through Tain town centre with Burke driving at speeds of at least 45mph through 20 and 30mph zones.
When Burked turned onto Geanies Street, a vehicle coming the other way was forced to move onto the kerb to make room.
Another driver had to perform an emergency stop when Burke drove over the crossroads with Stafford Road and onto Hartfield Street.
He then continued along Hartfield Road, before turning onto Seaforth Road and then Argyle Court, a dead-end.
However, Burke pulled his car onto a grassy area leading back to Hartfield Road and continued through a gap between trees to rejoin it, still travelling over the speed limit.
He turned onto Fountain Road, failing to stop at give-way signals and then drove to Burgage Drive.
Danger driver took to footpath
There, Burke drove into a small, off-road parking area leading towards what appeared to be another dead end.
Again, he pulled off the road, this time onto a footpath and through a field.
After rejoining the road, he drove at least 60mph along Hartfield Road and Seaforth Road, narrowly avoiding crashing into oncoming traffic.
The second time he pulled onto the grass at Argyle Court, he stopped, and passengers “jumped out” of the vehicle.
When police tried to apprehend Burke, he drove back onto Hartfield Road and headed for the High Street, resulting in another near miss.
Officers then lost sight of the car, but traced it to outside the Saint Duthus Bowling Club, with Burke standing nearby, and he was finally apprehended.
Burke, who is currently serving a prison sentence following his last dangerous driving incident, admitted a single charge of dangerous driving.
The charge detailed how Burke drove “at excessive speed” and “in an erratic manner”.
It said he failed to observe junctions or alter speed when approaching them, repeatedly drove on the opposing carriageway and in the path of oncoming vehicles and repeatedly caused oncoming road users to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
It also detailed how he drove on grass areas and footpaths – all while engaged in a police pursuit.
Pleas of not guilty were accepted to charges relating to Burke’s insurance and licence status, as well as one of failing to provide driver details to officers.
Burke, of Burgage Drive, Tain, was banned from the roads with immediate effect.
On June 18, he was sentenced to a further 10 months in prison, to follow any current custodial sentences still being served.
He will remain disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for three years, and not before he sits and passes an extended test of competency to drive.
For all the latest court cases in Inverness as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.