A disgruntled boyfriend tried to “punish” his partner by smashing her car into a fence.
Pedestrians were forced to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by Dale MacDonald as he drove his girlfriend’s Vauxhall Corsa off the road.
The 31-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted driving carelessly and while disqualified in the city’s Brahan Terrace on April 1 2020.
When he tried to explain his actions in court, Sheriff Andrew Berry told him: “When someone finds themselves at the bottom of a deep hole, they should really stop digging.”
Evasive action
The court heard people working outside in Brahan Terrace noticed the Corsa being driven “erratically and at speed”.
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson said: “The witnesses were of the view that the speed was excessive due to it being within a residential area.
“The car was then lost to view.”
About 20 minutes later, it reappeared, said Ms Wilkinson.
“The accused failed to make a right hand turn and collided with the fence, causing damage.
“Witnesses were forced to take evasive action by jumping out of the way.”
The prosecutor confirmed MacDonald was disqualified at the time.
Tried to ‘mete out punishment’
MacDonald admitted driving at excessive speeds for the road conditions and while under the influence of an unknown substance.
Solicitor Linda Clark told the court: “This was a car which he had purchased for his partner.
“There had been an argument between the two that morning and in an attempt to mete out punishment, he was going to remove the vehicle that he had paid for.”
She said the couple had since reconciled.
“He does have a lengthy record, but there has been a marked reduction in court appearances,” said Ms Clark.
‘Do you need a shovel?’
Sheriff Berry told MacDonald: “It’s got to be said that on this day you had absolutely no right to be driving.
“You were under the influence of something and in a way that could be described as petulant, you were trying to deprive your partner of her motor vehicle.
“This must have been a frightening incident for the individuals who had to get out of your way.”
MacDonald told the court he had misunderstood his previous disqualification order.
The sheriff told MacDonald to “stop digging” and asked him: “Do you want your solicitor to get you a shovel?”
He added: “Even if you had a licence for Europe’s biggest HGV, you should not have been driving in this way, while under the influence.”
MacDonald, of Pomarium Street, Perth, was disqualified for a year and placed on an electronic tag as part of a four month Restriction of Liberty Order.
Sheriff Berry said: “If you’ve heard any stories in pubs or on the streets about ways around your electronic tag, just forget about them.”
