Inverness man nearly struck a policeman on the pavement amid dangerous driving spree
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An Inverness man has admitted nearly striking a policeman with his car after mounting the kerb during a frantic dash around the Highland capital.
Fraser Plaice (32) carried out a string of highly dangerous manoeuvres on busy roads as he fled from the law.
As well as nearly striking the constable on the pavement he also drove at speed, collided with a police car ad caused it to veer into the opposite carriageway into the path of another oncoming vehicle.
During the incident on the night of February 11 (2022) he also drove around a traffic island the wrong way, drove through mulitple red lights and give way signs and drove in the opposite carriageway and without his headlights on.
The rampage occurred on several main roads in the city including Culduthel Road and Old Edinburgh Road and was sparked after Plaice encountered the police while behind the wheel and "panicked".
Defence agent William Young said: "It was several moments of madness.
"He panicked when he saw the police and drove off.
"He very much regrets acting in this fashion."
Inverness Sheriff Court heard the father-of-four had since had his driving licence revoked on medical grounds.
He also admitted driving under the influence of cannabis on a separate occasion.
Fiscal depute Shamielah Ghafar said: "This was where the police had observed the motor vehicle and had stopped the car for another matter.
"At this point it was noticed there was a strong smell of cannabis."
The court heard tests later showed a concentration of 6.7micrograms of the drug per litre of blood when stopped on Riverside Street on January 4, 2021.
The legal limit is 2micrograms.
The court heard that he had taken the class B drug several hours earlier and he thought he was fit to drive.
His solicitor, Mr Young said: "He accept this was an error in judgement on his part."
Despite Mr Young giving the mitigation Sheriff Christian Marney, deferring sentence for background reports, said: "I want all sentencing options before me."
He added: "Your client should e in no doubt that this course of action - especially nearly hitting a police constable is very serious."
Plaice, of Varrich Crescent, was released on bail and will return to court on August 4.
