A Fife nurse has been spared a driving ban so he can continue training for a forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
Territorial Army Captain Ian Cowan was caught by a speed camera travelling at almost 100mph on the A9 in Perthshire on September 6.
Such a high reading would usually lead to a ban at Perth Sheriff Court but Cowan’s previously unblemished record and preparation for war saw him keep his licence.
Depute fiscal Katie Pacholek told the court on Tuesday that Cowan (48), of Leven, was caught by a camera at 12.15am at the B8079 Blair Atholl road as he drove between Inverness and Perth. He pleaded guilty to driving at 98mph. He had originally been charged with speeding at 102mph but the lesser plea was accepted by the Crown.
Cowan’s agent Alison McKay said her client, a psychiatric nurse at Murray Royal Hospital in Perth, had been with the TA in Inverness when the incident happened. She said a letter supplied by Cowan’s commanding officer confirmed “ordinarily his behaviour is beyond reproach and this is very out of character.”
She said, “His licence is important to him because he works in Perth. The second reason is to enable him to maintain his commitment to the Territorial Army. He’s been involved with the TA many years, is a captain, and has previously been deployed and it’s likely he’ll be deployed again and he is due to go to Afghanistan next January.
“To enable him to undertake training to meet that commitment he would require his driving licence.”
She said Cowan had been working at the field hospital in Inverness but was experiencing personal difficulties and was allowed by his superiors to return home.
Ms McKay said, “He was trying to juggle a lot of balls and was in a difficult period. I’m pleased to say that’s been resolved. At that time of day this particular stretch of road would not have been particularly busy.”
Sheriff Peter Hammond said, “This was a high speed on a road known to be dangerous and that’s unacceptable. But with regard to your record and what’s been said on your behalf I’m not going to take the step of disqualifying you from driving.”
Cowan was fined £400 and had six penalty points imposed on his licence.