A motorcyclist who sped through Moray while recklessly overtaking other vehicles has been allowed to keep his license – as it is “essential” for his career.
Police spotted Gareth Anderson driving his motorbike carelessly and at excess speed on the A98 Fochabers to Buckie road, at Aradoul, on Thursday, August 6.
Officers reached 80mph while pursuing the 32-year-old, but gave up the chase when they realised that matching Anderson for speed would create even more of a hazard.
But yesterday at Elgin Sheriff Court the man retained his licence – though he was warned one more offence would see him banned.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins said: “At 8pm on the evening in question police on mobile patrol noticed the accused’s vehicle just as it was turning onto the A98.
“The motorcycle was accelerating harshly, and police made efforts to catch up with it.
“Police officers were travelling at 80mph, and activated blue lights and sirens, but got no reaction.
“They then noticed Anderson was in the process of overtaking another vehicle – even though there was a car approaching in the other direction.
“For their own safety, officers stopped the chase.”
The following day Anderson was traced at home, where he apologised and said that had he seen the lights he “would have stopped immediately”.
Anderson, of 8 Reidhaven Street in Buckie, admitted to a careless driving charge, failing to stop for a police vehicle and overtaking another vehicle in the face of oncoming traffic on a blind bend.
Solicitor Stephen Carty pleaded with the court to allow Anderson to retain his driving licence, as it is “essential” to his career as a self-employed removal man.
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov noted that Anderson had a previous careless driving conviction, but said she was “always reluctant to take people’s employment away from them”.
She instead fined Anderson £400 and imposed nine penalty points, meaning that one more offence will see him stripped of his licence.
