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Pensioner blames call of nature for speeding

Perth Sheriff Court.
Perth Sheriff Court.

A pensioner raced along a busy dual carriageway at almost 100mph because he was desperate for the toilet, a court has heard.

At Perth Justice of the Peace Court 83-year-old Frank Hourigan admitted driving in excess of the 70mph speed limit on the A9. He was caught driving at 98mph on the Stirling to Perth stretch at Greenloaning on March 29.

Solicitors acting for Hourigan, of Strathore Avenue, Dunblane, said he had been attempting to get home quickly in order to relieve himself.

The Justice of the Peace endorsed Hourigan’s licence with four penalty points and fined him £210.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte said: “At 10.50am police officers were driving a calibrated police vehicle. They followed the accused for some time and found he was driving at 98mph in a 70mph limit.”

Rosie Scott, defending, said her client had a clean driving licence at the time of the offence.

She said: “Mr Hourigan is 83 and he’s been driving for 60 years. He was in a hurry to get home, he wished to go to the toilet.

“He considers himself to be a safe and careful driver. He drives to London several times a year. He’s embarrassed to be here today.”

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had previously used the same defence when caught driving on a motorway hard shoulder in October 1999. He was cleared after he claimed he had severe diarrhoea and needed to reach a toilet.

Sir Alex was stopped by police on the M602, in Eccles, Greater Manchester but claimed he did not tell them his reasons for driving on the hard shoulder as he was keen to avoid embarrassment.

He told Bury magistrates he had been experiencing stomach cramps the night before the incident and had been forced to make numerous visits to the toilet.