A DUNDONIAN who “drove like a madman” through a residential Perth area was yesterday detained for eight months and given his ninth driving ban in under four years.

Martin Taylor (20), of Canning Place, pleaded guilty to a string of motoring offences after leading police on a high speed chase through Oakbank.

Taylor was already subject to a four-year ban when police spotted him at Broxden Roundabout, on the city by-pass, on April 9.

Instead of pulling over he turned into Perth and down Glasgow Road before making his way through the quiet Oakbank streets, reaching speeds of up to 60mph.

Police continued to tail him as he drove along Oakbank Place, Murray Place, Murray Crescent and Woodside Crescent.

He failed to stop, crossed into the opposite carriage-way without checking it was clear, and collided with another car.

Yesterday, he pled guilty to dangerous driving and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Not guilty pleas to stealing a car from North Street, Dundee, the same evening, failing to stop after an accident in Murray Crescent and providing the police with false details were accepted by the Crown.

Sentencing, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said Taylor had driven “like a madman,” adding, “What I can’t ignore is that you drove a motor vehicle whilst disqualified from driving, having previously been subject to a sentence of detention.

“Of equal concern, once the police were on your tail, so to speak, you then drove dangerously through streets in Perth at speeds of up to 60mph in a 30 limit, going through stop signs without slowing and eventually, and inevitably, losing control and colliding with a parked vehicle.

“Quite simply, you are a danger on the roads and this can’t be tolerated.”