A young motorist led police on a 100mph chase in a borrowed car – because he did not want to be in jail when his baby was born.
Tony Vogt overtook on a blind bend and even reversed along a busy north-east road after he overshot a junction trying to get away.
The 20-year-old was driving along the A98 Fochabers to Fraserburgh road, between Cullen and Buckie, when he noticed police behind him.
And instead of pulling over, Vogt – who knew there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest – immediately overtook another car and put his foot down.
Yesterday, Elgin Sheriff Court heard officers believed he reached speeds of up to 100mph before he finally stopped.
When Vogt, of Potterton, Aberdeenshire, and the car were searched, officers discovered a lock-knife and bag of cocaine.
Fiscal depute Alison Wylie told the court that police had originally been told to pull over the Audi for a routine check if they saw it.
At about 3pm on March 2, while on patrol of the A98, the car was seen heading from Cullen.
After turning round, the officers caught up with Vogt, who immediately overtook another car to put distance between himself and the police.
Mrs Wylie said: “Officers took the view the behaviour of the driver was that they were aware police were behind and he was trying to get away.
“The lights and sirens were put on, and at that point, the vehicle was approaching a left hand bend and overtook a car with no clear view of the road.
“The Audi accelerated repeatedly making its way past a line of traffic.”
She added officers then saw the Audi overshoot the turn-off for Buckie, before reversing along the much-used road to head into the town.
Local police followed the car into Douglas Crescent, where they noticed the Audi had different number plates on the front and back.
Vogt then gave a fake name and date of birth.
Defence agent Matthew O’Neill told the court said he was aware of the police interest in him, and had taken the “foolish” decision to try and get away because his girlfriend, who lived in Buckie, was pregnant and he was anxious to be there for the birth.
During an interview with officers Vogt said he was “losing his head” at the time of the incident due to family problems.
Vogt – who has since become a dad – previously admitted not stopping for officers, driving dangerously by overtaking vehicles on a blind bend, attempting to pervert the course of justice, possessing a lock knife with no reason and having cocaine with him.
Describing it as a “serious incident of criminality,” Sheriff Donald Ferguson imposed a six month jail term. He also disqualified Vogt for 21 months.
“Driving in this way, in the manner described, with a knife and cocaine in the car, it is inevitable you will have to go to custody,” he said.
