A race-driving entrepreneur escaped a road ban after topping the ton on an Angus dual carriageway.
John Dickson was heading home from work “in haste” to make a family birthday when he was clocked at 104mph on the A90 near Forfar.
The 48-year-old appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court, which heard he is a qualified race driver and the “lynchpin” of his own company.
Although he was cautioned by a sheriff that speeding on the A90 was especially hazardous due to farm traffic turning on, he was given four penalty points and a £700 fine.
Defending Dickson, solicitor Billy Rennie said his client had a clean licence before the incident on March 10, and travels around 25,000 miles each year on business between Scotland and his Suffolk home.
He said: “I think it was just after midday, the conditions were good and the traffic was light.
“There was no overtaking involved … there was no other traffic on the road at the time.
“He runs his own small national business, a pest control company which involves a significant amount of travel, away from his family.
“He had promised his daughter he’d be home for her birthday, and so travelled in some haste.
“He does feel a lot of guilt at being away from his family.
“He is also an experienced race driver and he has a race licence, and is involved in classic cars.
“He feels this is out of character.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray said he would have to take into account the fact that Dickson’s employees would depend on the status of his driving licence.
He added: “I accept what your solicitor is saying, that traffic may have been light, and it may have been good conditions on the road.
“The difficulty with the A90 is there are a number of crossings on to the carriageway, with farm vehicles turning into it.
“I am persuaded, just, that disqualification is inappropriate for you.”
Dickson, of Newdelight Road, Rickinghall Superior, admitted driving in excess of the 70mph speed limit on the A90 at the Quilkoe farm junction.
