Kirkcaldy man drove dangerously at excessive speed on opposite carriageway

John Harris, of Beatty Crescent, was also placed on a restriction of liberty order for six months, placed under supervision for 12 months, ordered to take part in the road traffic group work programme and to sit an extended driving test.

Harris, 27, appeared before Sheriff Alison McKay at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court recently.

Harris admitted on May 18, 2020 on Overton Road, Kirkcaldy and elsewhere he drove a car dangerously at excessive speed, drove on the opposite carriageway and travelled the wrong way round a roundabout failing to stop for police.

He further admitted on the same date on Overton Road he drove a vehicle without insurance and without holding a valid driver’s licence.

The Procurator Fiscal Depute said the accused had been driving on roads in Kirkcaldy including Overton Road: “It was 1.30am, there were no pedestrians, and traffic was light. Police saw the accused’s car, where his partner was a passenger, and conducted a check which showed the registered keeper of the vehicle was from Falkirk.

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"They decided to follow the car which went on to drive at 60mph, excessive speed for the road.

"The car headed into Thornton and continued breaking the speed limit. On a roundabout, he drove the wrong way on the wrong side of the road, in an anti-clockwise direction.

“The car continued on the road in a dangerous manner through built up areas. The accused was seen leaving the vehicle, and at this point, police spoke to him. Checks were carried out which showed he did not have insurance.”

Harris’ defence lawyer said he was fixing the car for a man he was working for and knows he should have stopped the car for the police. He said his client knows he won’t be driving for some time as a result. He said Harris would comply with a restriction of liberty order.

Sheriff McKay told Harris: “This was an atrocious piece of driving – you put your life in danger and your passenger’s and you were very lucky you were not in an accident.”

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