By Dave Lord

A ONE-EYED, deaf senior citizen caught speeding at almost 90mph on a notoriously dangerous stretch of the A9 near Perth had a cassette blaring and was “in a world of his own,” a court heard yesterday.

Maurice Hollyfield claimed he only drove at 88mph in a 50mph zone because his car was new and he was looking at the rev counter instead of the speedometer.

The 88-year-old admitted driving his car and trailer at excess speed on a single carriageway section of the A9 Perth to Inverness road near the Waterloo junction on April 4.

A letter presented to Perth Sheriff Court by Hollyfield’s doctor said, “Mr Hollyfield suffers from blindness in the left eye and has a false eye...but can see normally with his right eye.

The GP added, “Although elderly and having poor hearing he is completely compos mentis and lives independently.

“I asked him why he was driving at such a high speed in a 50 limit and he informed me that he was in his own little world, listening to loud music on his cassette player because of his deafness,” the doctor continued.

“He had misread the rev counter instead of the speedo and did not realise he was travelling so fast.”

A further document was presented to the court by driving instructor Keith Forbes of the British School of Motoring.

Following a 90-minute assessment carried out last month, he concluded that Hollyfield would not pass a modern driving test.

However, the instructor said the “general standard” of the accused’s driving was “fair.”

Depute fiscal Vicki Bell gave details of the offence.

“His car and trailer was clocked travelling at 88mph by a speed camera at 9.25pm,” she said.

“After the offence was brought to his attention he initially sent in his licence along with £60 (to meet the normal cost of a fixed penalty) but this was refused, given the speed involved.”

Solicitor David Holmes said Hollyfield was driving a relatively new car at the time.

“He simply did not realise the speed at which he was travelling,” Mr Holmes said.

“Mr Hollyfield’s focus was elsewhere, and clearly there will be concerns given his age,” the solicitor continued.

“He was looking at the rev counter rather than the speedo, which may not inspire confidence, but it was a new car with a different dashboard layout.”

Sheriff Foulis said Hollyfield, a widow from Milton Keynes, should have realised he was travelling too fast.

“Regardless of what dial he was looking at the trees must have been flying past at quite a rate,” he said.

“Going at such a speed he must have realised he was above the limit. He was travelling 38mph faster than he should have.

“By any stretch of the imagination he was going at a fair lick.

“In all the circumstances I feel he should be put off the road,” Sheriff Foulis added.

Hollyfield was banned from driving for 45 days and fined £300.