A young motorist who led police on a high speed chase around the streets of a north-east town has been jailed for nearly two years.
Luke Allan nearly crashed into another motorist as he tore around Peterhead and then only narrowly missed a pursuit vehicle.
The 23-year-old, who was driving while disqualified and had no insurance, is said to have hit speeds of 50 miles per hour as he roared through residential areas.
He eventually lost police officers, who were apparently unwilling to follow at such unsafe speeds.
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Allan eventually abandoned his car at the roadside and made his way home on foot, but officers already had enough information to track him down.
Peterhead Sheriff Court heard officers made their way to his home a couple of days later to speak to him about his driving – and found him hiding in his bathroom.
Depute Fiscal Ruaridh McAlister said Allan had initially only been willing to converse with police through the locked door.
Matters escalated once he ventured out, however, as he slammed a door, catching one of the officers’ hands against the frame as he did so.
He then fled through the Berryden Road property and attempted to exit by the rear door, only to find it locked.
Allan was apprehended and taken to Fraserburgh police station – though not before committing one final foolish act as he headbutted one of the officers.
He appeared in the dock at Peterhead yesterday to plead guilty to a string of offences including dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and assaulting police officers.
Allan also admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified, all while on bail.
The court heard officers had been on patrol on King Street in Peterhead when they saw Allan making a sharp turn onto St Mary Street.
They began following, only for the driver to speed off as he reached the end of the street.
Mr McAlister said: “They estimated he was doing 50 miles per hour through residential streets and another vehicle was forced to take evasive action.
“The accused’s vehicle was lost to view and the officers returned to the station.
“They made checks on the vehicle and found the driver had no insurance.
“Police traced the accused at his home address a few days later and found him hiding in the bathroom.
Defence agent Leonard Burkinshaw said Allan had “ruined” his future prospects as a result of his behaviour.
Mr Burkinshaw said: “He fully accepts his actions were stupid. He has essentially ruined his life because of this.
“He had a job and a relationship but because of his actions he has ruined any prospects.
“His partner has told him that she will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”
Sheriff Christine McCrossan said she had “no alternative” but to send Allan to prison.
She jailed him for 22 months and banned him from driving for five years.
