A boy racer who overtook an unmarked police car and sped off at 90 miles per hour on a notorious twisting country road has escaped a driving ban.
Charlie Hislop was given just three penalty points, despite admitting driving carelessly and speeding at 30mph above the national speed limit.
Perth Sheriff Court was told the supermarket worker was on his way home when he unwittingly overtook two police officers on the A85.
Hislop, 19, admitted driving carelessly and at excessive speed on the A85 near Methven Castle, between Perth and Crieff, on March 30.
Followed by police
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told the court: “This is a road restricted to a 60 miles per hour limit.
“It was a straight section, followed by a series of bends.
“Two police officers were driving in an unmarked vehicle.
“The accused overtook the police vehicle in excess of the speed limit.
“They proceeded to follow him for half a mile.
“He continued to accelerate away from the police and they marked the driving at around 90 miles per hour prior to a series of bends in the road.
“The accused was stopped and stated he was heading home after finishing work.”
Only three points imposed
Solicitor Kevin Lancaster, defending, said: “He is a young driver and doesn’t have any excuse for what he was doing.
“He accepts he was driving at excessive speed.
“He is a youthful driver without the knowledge and experience others would have driving a fast car.
“The road was straight and there was no other traffic.”
Sheriff Euan Duthie said: “In approaching sentence I am having regard to your own safety and interests as much as the public interest in ensuring the roads are kept safe.”
Hislop – who would have been disqualified as a new driver if he had six points imposed – was given three penalty points and fined £400.
The A85 between Perth and Crieff has been the scene of many accidents in recent years, including several fatal crashes.
