A FORMER traffic policeman caught speeding at nearly 120mph on the A9 has been banned for 21 months.

Gordon Mackay (49), who now works with Perth and Kinross Council as a development officer with its child protection committee, was also heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time.

He registered at more than twice the legal limit when breathalysed by police officers at the roadside and again at western division headquarters in Perth.

Mackay only escaped a more serious charge of dangerous driving after arresting officers gave careful consideration to the road conditions and to his driving experience.

Mackay was driving a powerful Audi, capable of very high speeds, when he passed officers doing speed checks on the A9 at 118mph at around 11.45pm.

After pursuing and stopping Mackay, the officers noted that he smelt very strongly of alcohol and administered a breath-test.

Sheriff Kevin Veal said the accused could have been appearing on a far more serious charge, given the speed and the level of alcohol in his blood.

Depute fiscal Chris Macintosh agreed, saying, “The speed was very high indeed.

“The officers had given thought to charging the accused with dangerous driving.

“However, given that he was travelling on a long and straight section of road—dual carriageway —given the good conditions and light traffic, the fact that Mr Mackay had passed an advanced driving course and that he was driving a vehicle capable of very high speeds, there was not sufficient evidence to use that charge.”

Mackay, of Hatton Road, Luncarty, admitted that on March 14 last year, on the A9 Bridge of Allan to Perth road, near to its junction with the unclassified road leading to East Mill, Auchterarder, he drove a car at excess speed, 118mph in a 70 zone.

He also pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol (85 mics). The limit is 35.

His solicitor John McLaughlin told the court that stress at work had been one of the main factors leading to the incident.

“He had told his employers that he was suffering from stress and had seen his doctor,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“He works for the local authority and someone was to have been covering for him at work but this had fallen through and he was feeling stressed out.

“On the evening in question he had gone to see his girlfriend with the intention of staying with her that night.

“They had a drink and there was an argument and he decided that it was better to leave.”

The solicitor added, “The emotional situation made him react in a way that was out of character.

“He just wanted to get home. He is exceedingly embarrassed by having to appear in court.”

The solicitor said his client had already spoken to his employer and had been told he could retain his job as he did not have to drive.

However he added, “They have said that they will have to review that position after he is sentenced.”

Sentencing Mackay, Sheriff Kevin Veal observed that the consequences could have been “quite horrendous” given the speed and his alcohol level.

“This was a very high speed and an unacceptable level of alcohol,” he added.

Together with the driving ban, the sheriff fined Mackay £750.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council would only say the local authority did not comment on individual members of staff.