A man rolled his car in a field after he passed a marked police car going the other way, a court has heard.
Rudi Baker, 23, from Montrose, was driving from Brechin to Montrose when he lost control of his car on February 4 this year.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said the accused was in his Mini Cooper and was on the A935 near Balwyllo, around 3.30pm.
Police were on mobile patrol and were travelling west when they met.
Mrs Kennedy said: “As the police vehicle approached, the officers became aware of the accused’s vehicle travelling towards them, having negotiated a right-hand bend at speed, causing the vehicle to encroach on their lane.
“Neither vehicle was in direct danger of collision at this point. However, they continued to watch the accused lose control of the vehicle as he passed them. He mounted the verge and drove into a field.”
The Mini rolled for between 40 and 60 metres before coming to rest.
The accused was breathalysed and taken to hospital, where he was released without treatment.
Defending Baker, solicitor Nick Markowski said his client had only passed his test in November.
“I think perhaps inexperience is at the root of this,” he said. “He overcorrected and hit the verge on his own side, and that’s caused him to lose control.
“The car was a total write-off, costing him £4,000. He did actually suffer cracked ribs and he was signed off for six weeks.
“He’s now had this experience and it’s slowed him down. He doesn’t want to go through that again.”
Baker, of Rossie Island Road, was given six points on his licence which means the new driver will be banned from the road.
He will have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.
Baker pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving which had been amended from dangerous driving.
He admitted driving without due care and attention at excessive speed on roads including the A935 Brechin to Montrose road on February 4 this year, crossing into the opposing lane, losing control, and crashing through a hedge, causing damage to the hedge, crops and his own car.
Fining Baker, Sheriff Gregor Murray said the offence was at the “serious end” of the careless driving scale.
The sheriff said: “I note you appear as a first offender I note in particular the financial loss you have suffered and physical injury you sustained.
“I would have imposed a fine of £800, reduced to £600 for your early plea, and six penalty points.”