One of Tayside’s top police officers has been found guilty of dangerous driving on the A90.
Graham McMillan, a former Detective Chief Inspector, caused a young mother to take evasive action on a notorious stretch of the Dundee-Aberdeen route.
The 62-year-old came to prominence when he led the investigation into the brutal murder of Lithuanian Jolanta Bledaite, whose head was discovered on Arbroath beach in 2008.
McMillan was found guilty following a trial at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Sheriff Derek Reekie branding the evidence he and his wife gave as “unconvincing”.
The former detective was banned from driving for a year and fined £1,000.
Repeatedly slammed on brakes
The court heard he performed a dangerous undertaking manoeuvre in his grey £50,000 Land Rover.
He had been travelling with his wife on the A90, close to the Murroes junction, when he became involved in an incident with another driver, Lesley Hoskins.
In an aggressive manner, he flashed his full beam headlights at her after approaching behind her car.
He then started gesticulating at her while performing an undertaking manoeuvre, before swerving into her path in front of her and repeatedly slamming on his breaks while in her path, causing her to take evasive action.
McMillan shook his head in disbelief as Sheriff Reekie delivered his verdict.
“I find you guilty as libelled,” the sheriff said.
“The crown witnesses gave evidence in a clear, straightforward manner. They remained remarkably composed even when it was suggested she was the one driving dangerously.
“I found you and your wife’s evidence very unconvincing.”
The sheriff added: “With someone of your background and experience of driving (your evidence) struck me as surprising.
“You unnecessarily took any opportunity to embellish your evidence by talking of your training and driving experience.
“You tried to discredit Ms Hoskins and her driving.”
He continued: “In view of my decision I am willing to accept this was a moment of madness.
“I take into account your driving record and lack of any convictions.”
Sheriff Reekie limited the disqualification period to the minimum 12 months.
McMillan, of Dundee, was found guilty of a charge of dangerous driving on March 16, last year.
Murder hunt
McMillan had been less than an hour into his new job in charge of CID for Angus when he received a report of a severed head found at a local beach on April 1, 2008.
He led press conferences with the media and arranged the production a post-mortem impression to help identify the victim, migrant worker Jolanta Bledaite.
A former Russian army soldier and his accomplice were eventually jailed for Jolanta’s “monstrous” murder.
