A Tayside property developer who crashed his high-powered car into a garden following a police chase has been banned from the roads.
Mark Harris drove at more than 100mph on the A90 Dundee to Perth road, as well as at speeds up to 60mph through Main Street, Longforgan.
Police evidence given during the 46-year-old’s trial, which lasted several months, showed that Harris had reached 120mph while being pursued by a car displaying “blues and twos” on December 23, 2013.
However, as he drove his Mercedes through Longforgan at twice the speed limit, he lost control and smashed through a fence and wall.
During the trial, Harris had told the court he had drunk three pints of lager ‘tops’ on the day in question and claimed he swerved to avoid a deer when driving through Longforgan.
Police officers also made it plain they were unable to catch Harris when their speedometer showed 120mph on the A90.
He was found guilty of driving dangerously at over 100mph on the A90, and 60mph in the village of Longforgan, as well as failing to stop for the police during the incident on December 23, 2013.
Sheriff William Wood found Harris not guilty of failing to provide a blood specimen at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, on December 23, 2013, as he agreed the accused was “mentally unable” to do so because of his phobia of needles.
At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff William Wood fined Harris £2,000 and disqualified him from driving for 30 months.
If he wants to get back behind the wheel then he must sit the extended driving test.
Sheriff Wood said: “I believe that it is in everyone’s interest to draw a line under this today.
“This was in my view a quite appalling course of driving, not only on the A90 but on the narrow streets of Longforgan.”
