Tain man had meat cleaver in car, Highland court told
A Ross-shire man was in a high-speed chase with police while having a meat cleaver in his car.
Alexander Burke (29) was driving a car coming out of Asda in Tain when he was spotted by an off-duty police officer when there were warrants out for his arrest on July 5, 2023.
Fiscal depute Pauline Graham told Sheriff Sara Matheson at Inverness Sheriff Court that the off-duty police officer’s colleagues were then contacted and they found Burke’s licence was revoked.
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At around 11.30pm police were notified that the vehicle Burke was driving had crossed the Kessock Bridge.
A police chase ensued with Burke getting up to speeds of 90mph on roads off the A9. Police lost sight of him but he was eventually spotted walking in Evanton at 12.10am on July 6, 2023.
It was found that he had a meat cleaver in the car and he was cautioned and charged at Burnett Road police station.
Burke, of Burgage Drive, Tain pleaded guilty to driving dangerously, at excessive speed and performing dangerous manoeuvres, evading the police and having possession of a meat cleaver, without reasonable excuse.
Burke also pleaded guilty to theft alongside his co-accused Anthony Downey (37), of Langlands Road, Glasgow, on September 13, 2022 in Portmahomack.
After the theft Burke also mounted a pavement in his car and collided with a pedestrian. He admitted driving without due care or attention.
Sentencing has been deferred until May 6 for background reports.
