A drink-driver who led a high-speed pursuit deemed too dangerous for police officers to continue has been jailed for three months.
Despite being a first time offender, Robert Wilson’s actions were deemed serious enough by Sheriff Robert McCreadie to justify a custodial sentence.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how the 59-year-old initially fled from officers after fearing he would lose his licence as he was over the drink-driving limit.
In a bid to evade police he left Perth by the A90 after midnight before parking in a lay-by and switching off his lights.
However, the patrol car passed his vehicle and stopped on a slip road further along the carriageway with the intention of watching what the accused did next.
Depute fiscal Katie Pacholek said, “Moments later the accused’s vehicle sped past the police, heading in the direction of Dundee.
“The police proceeded to follow the accused’s vehicle, which was described as driving at ‘high speed’. This caused the police, when they approached the Glencarse junction, to activate the blue lights on their car.”
This failed to stop Wilson, and while driving through the village of Glencarse he hit speeds of up to 60mph.
He continued to ignore the pursuing officers as he drove along an unclassified road from the village to Kinfauns at 90mph, which further increased to 100mph when he rejoined the dual carriageway.
The terrifying chase only ended when Wilson came to the Inchmichael junction and crossed over to the other carriageway, going through two “No Entry” signs.
Ms Pacholek told the court the two officers were told by the force critical incident manager to abort their pursuit for safety reasons.
The accused was later traced at his home and arrested.Gross piece of drivingDefence agent Paul Ralph said his client could give “no explanation” for his actions on August 10, other than he was going through some tough times.
He said, “He has a business which he has had going for the last eight years and he has been struggling financially because the building he occupies has been sold by the owner.
“I think the trigger here is that this business has been struggling for six months.
“He produced some bank statements that showed an inheritance he got last year was used up almost immediately in trying to keep it afloat.
“He has been hiding that from just about everybody, including his family and landlady.”
Mr Ralph added that Wilson’s decision to keep driving was through “panic,” as he thought that losing his licence could also lead to him losing his business.
Wilson, of Rose Hill Cottage, Glencarse, admitted that on August 10 he drove dangerously by reaching speeds of up to 100mph on the A90, 60mph in Glencarse and 90mph on other unclassified roads.
He also admitted that on the same date and at the same locations he drove with excess alcohol (59 mics).
Sheriff McCreadie described the incident as “one of the worst” he had seen in the court and ignored pleas from Mr Ralph to consider community service as a direct alternative to custody.
“I don’t know how narrow these roads are but driving at that speed in the dark is quite unconscionable,” he said.
“The problem is that there comes a stage when the offence is so serious that a custodial sentence is the only option.
“This was a gross piece of driving under the influence of alcohol, but you recognise that it is grave situation and I take account of your very obvious remorse.”
Wilson was also disqualified from holding and obtaining a licence for 10 years and ordered to sit an extended driving test.