By Mark Mackay

AN ALMONDBANK man who led motorists to believe he was a member of the emergency services was yesterday fined £250.

Two drivers took evasive action and pulled over when Azar Mohammed drove up behind them on the A85 Crieff to Perth road on November 13.

Mohammed (44), of Gellyburn Road, had fitted flashing blue lights to the front grill of his car.

The court heard the lights were just one of a number of improvements the accused had made to his pride-and-joy.

When activated on the day in question, they were enough to convince fellow motorists he was driving an unmarked police vehicle.

Mohammed yesterday pled guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention, causing road users to take evasive action to clear the carriageway for him by causing them to believe he was driving an emergency vehicle.

Not guilty pleas were accepted to charges of driving with a blue warning beacon fitted and failing to comply with legislation in that the car was fitted with a siren.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson said two motorists had been travelling along the A85 when the motorist to the rear saw Mohammed’s car in his rear view mirror.

“What he noticed was that blue lights had been fixed to the front grill of the car and were now flashing,” he said.

“He took the view that this was an unmarked police car and pulled over.

“The car in front now saw the lights and forming the same impression, also pulled over.”

Mohammed then overtook the two vehicles and drove on.

Mr Richardson added, “Later that day, one of the witnesses saw the accused’s car again, this time parked, and realised that it was not a police car.

“They then contacted the police.”

Mohammed’s solicitor told the court, “My client did fit the lights but was not aware that they should not be fitted to a civilian vehicle.

“He had fitted a number of extras to the car.”

She added, “There does not appear to be any question about the safety of his overtaking manoeuvre or his speed, simply that because of the flashing lights the drivers took evasive action.”

The solicitor said the lights had been removed from the vehicle, adding that Mohammed had been driving for more than 20 years without incident.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher said he had difficulty rating the standard of driving exhibited by Mohammed.

However, he said, “I hope that it’s true that you have removed the lights and have no intention of putting them back on.

“It is a serious matter to use these lights and appear to be a policeman.”

He fined Mohammed and also endorsed his driving licence with seven penalty points.