An Aberdeen man has avoided jail after leading police on a high-speed car chase through Torry.
Deihtriece Girling, 30, was spotted around noon on June 1 this year by officers in an unmarked car on mobile patrol.
The court heard how Girling was seen accelerating “hastily” and overtaking other vehicles in his black Honda Civic.
Fiscal depute Kirsty Martin told the court that police saw Girling stop, then accelerate away, and so began following him.
Girling sped through 30mph zones at 60mph before turning onto Great Southern Road.
Ms Martin said: “He contravened a no entry sign and swerved to avoid a collision with an oncoming driver.
“On Riverside Drive, he was seen to fail to stop – and due to the manner of his driving, police decided to pull back.
“They slowed their pursuit and continued to follow him to Great Southern Road – now travelling at speeds of up to 80mph.”
Ms Martin said Girling overtook more cars and tried to fit through a gap, but collided with a car, before he continued to Wellington Road and Grampian Place.
Police kept in contact with Girling, who then drove towards Balnagask Road – again overtaking more cars at speed, the court was told.
Running red lights
“Cars were parked either side of the road,” Ms Martin said. “He was reaching speeds of 70mph.
“He turned into Wellington Road – running through red traffic lights twice.”
Girling eventually came to a stop on Greenwell Road and police “removed him from the vehicle”, Ms Martin said.
“System checks revealed he had no valid insurance in place,” she added.
Girling pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving, one of having no insurance and of driving while banned.
Defence agent David Sutherland suggested: “There are worse examples of dangerous driving than this one.”
Mr Sutherland went on to say Girling had expressed remorse over the incident and had been “engaging well” with social workers while carrying out his existing Community Payback Order.
“He has 67 hours left of unpaid work to carry out – there seems to have been a shift in mentality,” the lawyer said.
Mr Sutherland told the court Girling financially supports his partner, child and mother and said he had been “open and genuine” with the author of the report.
Avoids jail sentence
Sheriff Rory Bannerman said custody was at the forefront of his mind, making mention of Girling driving so soon after being banned from driving.
However he added: “You did take the sensible step of admitting your guilt at the first instance.
“The report says you are resistant to taking a Community Payback Order.
“But I am imposing one on you – with two years supervision for you to obtain advice and guidance – and you are on one already.”
Girling, of Denview Way, Aberdeen, was ordered to carry out a further 230 hours unpaid work, to be completed within one year, and was banned from driving for 40 months.
Sheriff Bannerman warned Girling: “You put the people of Aberdeen in danger.
“If you fail to carry this order out, I will send you to custody.”
Girling must also resit the extended driving test of competency to get his licence returned following his ban.