A HEATED dispute between a group of women saw two women participate in a dangerous confrontation on the notorious A9, Perth Sheriff Court heard yesterday.

A history of break-ups and disagreements came to a head when Margaret Grant (39) crossed paths with a rival at the Inveralmond Roundabout.

Yesterday, she admitted driving without due care and attention on the Perth to Inverness stretch of the road on September 1, varying speed wildly and braking violently in the path of another car.

Grant, of Cutlog Vennel, Perth was disqualified from driving for eight months for the offence, though her solicitor claimed she had not instigated the incident.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson explained that there had been a history of ill-will between the accused and complainer.

He described the incident, saying, “Shortly after 7pm on the Friday evening, Miss Grant spotted the complainer driving her car. She overtook and pulled in before beginning to increase and decrease her speed and apply her brakes fiercely in such a way that the complainer was forced to brake to avoid a collision.

“Miss Grant then disappeared.”

Mr Richardson said the incident had occurred at around 50mph to 60mph, though he was unable to tell the court how busy the road had been at the time.

Grant’s solicitor, however, told the court the incident had been sparked by the complainer’s actions and stressed that his client had not been the sole aggressor during their history of difficulties.

“This incident was borne out of long-standing ill feeling, not just between the people concerned in this incident, but also their friends and acquaintances,” he said.

“There have been same-sex relationships between people in these groups and there have been various break-ups and disagreements.”

The solicitor added, “The two vehicles chanced upon each other on the A9. It may be that there was a certain apprehension on my client’s part about what the other driver would do.

“She found herself with the other vehicle very close to her rear bumper. She was braking initially to get the other vehicle to back-off.”

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said, “People cannot drive on the road in this manner.

“This is a major trunk road and it was 7pm on a Friday evening. It certainly would not have been deserted and the potential consequences are all too clear.”

Grant also received a £400 fine.