Armed police “manhandled” a top businessman off a plane at Heathrow Airport after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Perth over a driving conviction.
Colin Laird was hustled off the flight and transported to Scotland when he failed to turn up for a sheriff court appearance.
The 52-year-old claimed he had never received the summons as his job as CEO of the XL Group based in Aberdeen takes him across the world.
The firm works closely with the oil industry and has links to Europe, North and South America and the Middle East.
Laird finally made it to Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday, when he admitted a charge of careless driving on the A90 Perth to Dundee road on January 6.
He was spotted by police on patrol near Longforgan as he made his way from his partner’s house in West Kilbride to Aberdeen.
They watched as he repeatedly drove in close proximity to another car, before eventually undertaking it and another vehicle. As a result the officers pursued Laird, of Wellside Avenue, Aberdeen, and pulled him over.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said his client had been heading north for a meeting the following day but “was in no great hurry”.
He said: “His position was that he was behind these two vehicles for some time and there was some slowing down and speeding up to 70mph.
“He did move to the inside in an attempt to persuade the vehicles to refrain from hogging the outside lane. He accepts his driving fell below acceptable standards.
“He realises that road safety is paramount, particularly on the A90, and is hoping he might be able to continue driving, albeit with significant points on his licence.”
Sheriff Richard Clark fined Laird £400 and endorsed his licence with six penalty points.