Inverness panicking motorist drove in wrong lane on Telford Road in bid to escape police
A motorist who had just bought a car two days before panicked when he saw a police patrol as he drove through the Merkinch area of Inverness.
Sheriff Sara Matheson heard that 23-year-old James Milne, of Kessock Road, Inverness was concerned that he did not have the proper paperwork for the vehicle so drove off at excessive speed when he spotted the officers.
Fiscal depute Sophie Marshall told Inverness Sheriff Court that Milne drove in the wrong direction on Telford Road towards Telford Street and did not stop despite the police activating their blue lights on the night of March 14 last year.
Ms Marshall continued: "He performed several dangerous overtakes and travelled through a red light. Police kept the vehicle in view but a pursuit was not authorised.
"The car was traced to Skinner Court and the accused reported it as stolen. But when he was interviewed by officers later, he admitted he was driving."
Milne admitted dangerous driving and his lawyer Marc Dickson told Sheriff Sara Matheson: "He had just bought the vehicle a couple of days before and did not have the proper paperwork.
"He panicked when he saw the police."
Milne was fined £380 and banned from driving for 16 months. But he cannot get behind the wheel again until he passes the extended test of competency.