DRIVING AT nearly double the speed limit on the notorious A9 yesterday cost a driver a £700 fine and a 15-month ban.

Raymond MacKenzie (41), of Brievie Hill Road, Crosslee, Johnstone, was found guilty of dangerous driving by Sheriff Robert McCreadie at Perth Sheriff Court.

MacKenzie—a franchise sales agent for a glazing firm—faced the charge that on August 31 last year on the A9 Inverness to Perth road, a mile north of Balnacardoch, Trinafour, he drove at excess speed, 122 mph, so that he was unable to stop safely.

He was caught on a handheld Falcon speed camera by police while driving at speed on the 70-mph dual carriageway.

The trial was lengthened due to evidence of a malfunction in the equipment used to record MacKenzie’s speed.

PC Frank Buchan said the speedgun he was operating had failed to retain the 100s unit on the display and read just “22” after the initial reading of 122 mph was registered.

He told the court, “I was disappointed that it had failed in this manner.

“I have never before or since come across a faulty speedgun.”

The court heard evidence from Fraser Pearson (60), an electronic engineer and head of Industrial Control Engineers, an East Yorkshire firm that specialises in roadside control devices.

Mr Pearson inspected the radar device and found that a circuit board had been damaged, probably as a result of the speedgun being dropped.

Though he found it unable to display 100s, he discovered no other defect.

Mackenzie denied speeding, and told the court, “I have never driven at 122 mph, to my knowledge, in my life.”

While he admitted locking his front wheels under braking, he denied losing control of his Peugeot 406.

Asked why police had given evidence that it took him nearly a mile to pull over and stop, the accused said he had continued until he could find a safe place to do so.

MacKenzie maintained that he had been driving at no more than 65-70 mph.

However, Sheriff Robert McCreadie said he had found the witnesses credible and preferred their evidence to that of the accused.

He said, “I am satisfied his speed, getting on for twice the limit on the A9, fell far below that expected of a safe or competent driver, with junctions not far away and with the dangers that could be expected to arise.

“This is a disgraceful speeding offence and an extraordinary speed at which to be travelling on the A9.”