A MAN who drove at 100mph through rural Perthshire while being chased by police has been banned from the road for three years.
Ryan Fotheringham (24), of Alyth, was also fined £400 and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday.
He was previously found guilty of dangerous driving on the A926 Alyth to Blairgowrie road, the B954 Alyth to Meigle road, the A94 Coupar Angus to Meigle road, and the unclassified road from Jordanstone to Aberbothie on November 19 2011.
Fotheringham, of Bamff View, was also convicted of failing to stop when required to do so by a uniformed police officer.
The charge stated that he drove at excessive speeds of up to 100mph.
Also included were allegations that he mounted verges and embankments, lost control on a bend, drove at over 80mph while passing various road junctions, and drove at double the 30pmh speed limit in Meigle.
Sergeant Gavin McKinlay told the court during the trial that he took charge of a police operation to intercept Fotheringham after receiving a radio message about his driving.
Police had originally spotted the car at the Fiveways roundabout near Alyth at around 2.30am.
Mr McKinlay said he first saw the accused on the B954, when Fotheringham was being pursued by a police car.
He said: “The accused failed to stop at the junction of the A94/B954 but I anticipated this might happen.
“He was driving at speed on much tighter roads.”
Mr McKinlay told the court he then pursued Fotheringham through the village of Ardler and that he estimated the accused was driving at 60mph in a 30mph limit.
He said it was “quite unexpected” when the accused stalled the car shortly thereafter.
The court heard how Fotheringham’s passenger was caught by police and told them the accused had been driving.
However, Fotheringham claimed he had been in bed at the time of the offence.
Sheriff Andrew Webster found Fotheringham guilty and deferred sentence until yesterday for background reports.
A defence agent told the court that Fotheringham had secured employment in Dundee.
Sheriff Webster said: “I take into account what has been said on your behalf specifically that you have secured employment.
“The court commends you for that.”
Fotheringham will be required to resit his test when his driving ban expires.