A senior doctor dodged a driving ban, despite driving at up to 100mph on the A9 in Perthshire.
Cardiologist Mohammed Alhous also failed to stop for police in a marked vehicle, continuing for over a mile before acknowledging their pursuit.
However, he walked from Perth Sheriff Court free to drive after a sheriff said his ability to get to a hospital with all possible speed could mean the difference between “life and death.”
Alhous was told by Sheriff Robert McCreadie that his driving had fallen “far below that expected of an experienced driver” but nonetheless allowed him to retain his licence.
Depute fiscal John Malpass told the court that police officers had been carrying out hand-held speed checks shortly before noon on April 8 when they spotted Alhous travelling at what they believed was “excessive speed.”
After his car a powerful Mercedes 2000 executive model was recorded at 91mph, the officers decided to follow in their marked traffic patrol vehicle and activated both their blue lights and siren.
Despite following directly behind Alhous, he continued in the outside lane, increasing his speed to 100mph.
The pursuit continued for a little over a mile before the accused was seen to brake sharply, coming to what Mr Malpass described as “almost a complete stop” in the outside lane. He said it had been fortunate that the officers were travelling at a safe distance from the car.
Alhous was then escorted safely to a point where he could stop. Officers found that his wife and two children were in the car.
Solicitor Mark Alder told the court: “Mr Alhous accepts that he allowed his speed to creep up but at the time he did not fully accept that it was so high.
“The highest speed came on a steep downhill stretch of dual carriageway and, while he should have maintained a safe speed, he accepts that he did not do that.
“He has never been in trouble before and is surprised and ashamed to find himself in this position.”
Mr Alder made a plea to the court to allow his client to retain his licence, despite the seriousness of the offence.Licence ‘vital'”He is a cardiologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and it is vital that he is able to attend hospital at very short notice as his responsibilities include being on call day and night.”
Alhous, of Morningside Road, Aberdeen, admitted driving a car carelessly on the A9 Perth to Stirling road between Windyedge and Cairnie Braes on April 8, hitting speeds between 91mph and 100mph while overtaking several vehicles and
failing to pull over for a marked traffic patrol vehicle with its blue lights and siren activated that was closely following him.
Sentencing Alhous, Sheriff McCreadie told him: “In circumstances such as this, when there has been such thoughtless and careless driving, disqualification is almost inevitable.
“That is the case unless there are exceptional circumstances and in this instance I am told you work at a hospital and that there are issues of life and death to consider.
“Given the nature of your work, and for that reason alone, I am willing to consider dealing with this offence without recourse to a ban.”
He endorsed Alhous’s licence with nine penalty points, warning him that any further driving offence would see him banned automatically.
The cardiologist was also ordered to pay a “significant” £1200 fine to reflect the fact that he was escaping disqualification. Alhous told the court he would pay the sum within one month.