A retired special constable from northeast Fife carelessly overtook a police car and another vehicle on the morning of New Year’s Day.
William Roxburgh tried to overtake a static police car at the same time as the vehicle in front of him did so, on the A91 near Clayton Caravan Park by St Andrews.
The driver in front had to “brake harshly” as the 74-year-old accelerated past them.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Roxburgh admitted an amended charge of driving without due care or attention.
The pensioner – a first offender with a long-service medal – was furnished with five penalty points and fined £320.
His solicitor David Bell explained that Roxburgh, of Logie, near Cupar, had been a special constable for more than two decades.
Police probing abandoned car
Fiscal depute Emma Farmer told the court the incident took place at around 9.30am on New Year’s Day in 2022.
She said: “A police vehicle had stopped halfway around a bend to examine an abandoned vehicle.
“It was blocking the left inner carriageway.
“The driver of the car overtaking effectively had slowed down.”
Roxburgh saw the car slow down and accelerated past it and the parked police car.
Ms Farmer said this caused the preceding motorist to “brake harshly to avoid a collision.”
Officers did not pursue Roxburgh but traced him at a later date.
Admission
Roxburgh admitted driving carelessly.
His lawyer Mr Bell said: “A vehicle had gone off the road.
“The police car had stopped to investigate this and was parked but was blocking the passage of vehicles.
“My client had approached the locus and has seen the vehicle which ultimately had to brake which he perceived to be stopped.
“He thought that vehicle was engaging with police. He accepts that he should perhaps have slowed.
“There was no collision here. Nobody came after him.”
Mr Bell said Roxburgh has driven since he was 17 and used his licence to drive to see family in the south of England.
He explained his client is a retired chartered surveyor who had worked 21 years as a special constable.
Nine of those years were served in The Met in London, and 12 were in Cupar.
He had been awarded a long-service medal.
He said: “His driving licence is absolutely essential to his life.
“It would be a catastrophe for him if he lost his licence.
“This is the first time he’s ever appeared in court, except when giving evidence as a special constable.”
Sheriff Garry Sutherland said: “It is a shame that you’re appearing in front of me today.”
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