A man who drove dangerously at speeds of over 90mph while nearly four times the alcohol limit as he tried to outpace police has been jailed for eight months.
Nathan Hilditch, of Ulsta, Yell, was also banned from driving for three years and four months when he appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday after previously admitting five charges which took place on the A970 between Fladdabister and Sandwick on September 29.
The 23-year-old admitted failing to stop when required to do so by two police constables in uniform, and driving with 86 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.
Hilditch also admitted driving dangerously by repeatedly driving on the wrong side of the road including when negotiating bends and dips, and driving at excessive speeds including at over 90mph in a 50mph limit.
He then collided with an item of roadside furniture and drove into a ditch.
Hilditch also admitted driving the car without insurance and unsupervised with a provisional licence.
Defence agent Tommy Allan told the court that the incident was Hilditch at the “start of a journey at which he planned to take his own life”, and his client was “clearly ashamed” of his behaviour.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said that given the nature of the driving it was “incredibly fortunate” that no serious injuries were sustained.
He backdated the eight month sentence to when Hilditch first entered custody on 1 October.
