A high-end car salesman who took a “perk” model for a spin has kept his driving licence after speeding on an Angus road.
Kevin Harley took a Land Rover Evoque from his Aberdeen showroom and drove at 98mph on the A94 Coupar Angus road between Forfar and Perth.
The 28-year-old first offender appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court, which heard he was “chastened” by his driving on September 17 last year.
Harley was clocked at 38mph over the legal limit by a speed camera at Castleton Croft, near Glamis.
Solicitor Gregor Kelly said his employer had written a letter to the court, vouching for his conduct and character.
“He was driving from Aberdeen to see a friend in Perth,” he said.
“He’s the general manager of a car sales franchise and finished work at 5.30pm that Friday.
“One of the perks of his job is that his line manager will, on occasion, allow him to take one of the cars home and he can then wax lyrical about the car in question to customers. He will collect customers from their home and he will let them take the wheel.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said he was “very familiar” with the road as he drives between Edinburgh and Forfar each day.
“This is a road on which there’s a great deal of agricultural traffic,” he said.
Mr Kelly added: “He had rounded a bend and there was a straight and he slightly accelerated and was then taken by the camera at speed.
“It is an excessive speed. He tells me his driving style was unacceptable. His job is in jeopardy. It is clear from the letter his employers consider him a safe driver.”
The depute fiscal said: “At 6.55pm the speed was recorded by camera and the conditions were good, in daylight, with fair weather but damp.
“Given the speed, no fixed penalty was available.”
Harley, Queen’s Road, Aberdeen admitted speeding at Castleton Croft, near Glamis, on September 17 2016.
Sheriff Di Emidio fined him £900 and imposed six penalty points on his licence.
