A 76-year-old Angus pensioner drove for six miles on the A92, oblivious to the fact he had a tyre missing.
Roy Birse, of Arbirlot Road West, Arbroath, was banned from driving for a year at the town’s sheriff court on Tuesday, having previously not had so much as a parking ticket in over 50 years’ driving.
The court heard Birse takes off his hearing aids when driving and so could not hear the loud noise being caused by him driving on the wheel rim.
Solicitor Angela McLardy said it was the first time her client had been in trouble and he was devastated and has decided he will not get behind the wheel again.
Birse previously admitted that on January 29 on the A92 Arbroath to Dundee road at Upper Victoria junction and elsewhere, he drove a car dangerously, whereby the rear offside wheel became detached and he continued to drive for around six miles.
Depute fiscal Arlene Shaw said the incident happened around 7am when an off-duty police officer saw Birse driving for six miles without his tyre. She said the whole tyre had burst out and Birse was driving on the wheel rim, which was causing a loud noise with sparks flying out.
Ms McLardy said her client had been driving for 50 years without any road traffic offences and it was the first time he had been in trouble of any kind. She said Birse is deaf and uses two hearing aids.
He had previously had a problem with the suspension and thought the car not balancing properly was something to do with that.
“He regrets not stopping to check. He himself is devastated at this. It’s not his intention to continue driving.”
Sheriff Derek Pyle said Birse was “effectively driving deaf.”
The sheriff admonished Birse and banned him for 12 months. He will have to sit an extended test if he wishes to get his licence back in a year.