A banned driver forced another car to mount a pavement outside a primary school as he hit “excessive” speeds while being pursued by police.
Alexander Sinclair, a 29-year-old roofer from Fife, had a young child in the back of the car.
Having driven from Stirling, Sinclair was at the wheel of a 2004 Honda Civic on Ashley Terrace, Alloa, when a local officer recognised him as a banned driver.
“Panicking” at having been seen, Sinclair set off at speed past Sunnyside Primary School, towards Sauchie, as a police car followed.
He eventually ditched the car and ran off.
Ran off after chase
Prosecutor Sarah Smith told Falkirk Sheriff Court Sinclair repeatedly drove in excess of the 20 and 30mph speed limits, failing to slow down for roundabouts and junctions.
Near the primary school, oncoming vehicles had to take evasive action, including one car that was forced to mount the pavement to get out of the way.
Ms Smith said: “He stopped the car in Ten Acres, Sauchie and made off on foot.”
Officers checked the car and found an adult female passenger within, together with the six-year-old girl in the rear of the car.
Sinclair was arrested nearby.
Sinclair, of Anderson Street, East Wemyss, pled guilty to driving dangerously while disqualified and without insurance on April 27 2021.
‘Panicked’
Solicitor Kelly Howe, defending, said: “They had been to the Stirling area shopping.
“There was an issue with the vehicle to the extent that the coolant light was coming on.
“Mr Anderson has some knowledge of vehicles and they stopped at Halfords in Stirling and bought some Stop Leak and he stupidly took over responsibility for driving.
“On seeing the police officers, he panicked.”
She said her client was working with a roofing and property maintenance company.
Sentencing Sinclair to 21 months imprisonment and banning him from driving for five years, Sheriff Derek Hamilton said the conviction was Sinclair’s third for driving while disqualified and his second for dangerous driving.
He said: “You appear to have had no concern for anyone other than yourself.
“You had a child in the back of the car and you drove at speed outside a primary school around closing time for the school and you caused other vehicles to take evasive action to avoid your vehicle.
“One mounted the kerb outside the primary school.
“This was an episode of appalling driving.”
