Speeding Invergordon valet overtook police car
AN Invergordon car valet has kept his licence after admitting driving too close to an unmarked police vehicle and overtaking at high speed on the A9.
Inverness Sheriff court heard today that two police officers were in the unmarked car when Christopher Maclaren’s Ford Focus approached their vehicle from behind just after midnight on May 22 last year.
Depute fiscal Anna Robertson said as they neared the Tore roundabout they heard a loud noise from Maclaren’s car and his vehicle passed them at high speed.
At the Cromarty Bridge it took the turn off towards Alness but the fiscal said Maclaren’s car was travelling at such a speed the police couldn’t catch him.
His vehicle was later traced in Alness and he was spoken to.
Maclaren admitted a charge of careless driving.
The 26 year-old of Fleming Way, Invergordon, was self-employed valeting cars, his solicitor Willie Young said.
He told the court Maclaren was returning from Inverness with chemicals for his work.
Mr Young said: "The police vehicle was moving fairly slowly. He followed it for a short period and accelerated fairly briskly and passed it but accepts his speed was not appropriate."
The solicitor said if he was to lose his licence he would lose his income which supports his family.
Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison fined Maclaren £500 and endorsed his licence with six points.
