An Audi driver who led police on a high-speed city-centre chase claimed he had acted on impulse because he suffers from ADHD.
Tom McConnachie drove the wrong way round a roundabout after panicking when he realised his car was not insured.
The 28-year-old was banned from driving for 15 months and placed on a curfew for 75 days as a direct alternative to custody.
Solicitor Anika Jethwa, defending, said: “There is a reference in the report to his ADHD. This may have contributed to his impulsive behaviour at the time.
“There was insurance in place for the vehicle for 24 hours. He had kept it outwith that period and panicked when he saw the police.”
Built-up streets
McConnachie, from Dundee, admitted driving dangerously and at excessive speed through several streets in Dundee on Boxing Day 2019. He also admitted having no insurance and failing to stop for police.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told that McConnachie careered through narrow, built-up streets around Happyhillock, Pitkerro Drive and Darvel Place as officers gave chase.
Fiscal depute Lee Corr told the court: “All of the streets have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour.
“It is a densely populated, residential area, with a number of driveways with restricted views due to the road layout and parked cars.
“At the time of the incident, around 4.40pm, it was dark. Road conditions were fair, and visibility was good, but the traffic was heavy. Police were carrying out a routine patrol in their marked vehicle.
“Attention was drawn to the accused’s registration plate. Police activated their lights and they observed the accused’s vehicle react by quickly turning into a residential area.
“The vehicle was initially lost to sight, police continued to search for the accused. He quickly appeared in front of them and came to a complete stop.”
Apologised to police
However, the pursuit then began in earnest. “Officers walked toward the driver side door, and the accused then aggressively accelerated away,” the prosecutor said.
“The officers returned to their car and gave chase. The accused was seen to be driving on the opposing carriageway while overtaking stationary traffic, lined up behind a bus which had stopped at a bus stop.
“The car refused to comply with a ‘Keep Left’ sign, causing cars to take evasive action. He continued at a speed of at least 50mph on the opposing carriageway, then approached the roundabout.
“He negotiated it in an anti-clockwise fashion and when exiting the roundabout, deliberately drove on the grass area next to the road.”
McConnachie was eventually stopped and when he was spoken to by officers, he replied: “Sorry.”
