A Dundee man led police on an early morning, high-speed chase through residential areas and crashed a car into a tree.
Terry Connell was given a community payback order after he admitted driving dangerously on October 11 2018.
The court heard he got into the car after its owner forgot the key was in the ignition.
The 29-year-old was followed by police as he drove on a number of Dundee roads including Balmuir Road, Helmsdale Avenue, Balgowan Square, Eskdale Avenue, Americanmuir Road, Macalpine Road and St Clements Place.
He drove at excessive speed for the road conditions, at times without headlights during hours of darkness, collided with a car, failed to stop at junctions, and failed to keep the vehicle under control, causing it to leave the road and hit a lamp-post and a tree. When arrested by police officers at around 3am, Connell was said to have become “extremely aggressive”, calling them names.
He was admonished on the latter charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.
Connell was also admonished on the charge of driving with a provisional licence, without being accompanied by a qualified driver or displaying L plates, and of failing to provide a breath specimen.
For the dangerous driving charge, he was ordered to carry out 220 hours of unpaid work in nine months, was disqualified from driving for 23 months, as well as being ordered to be under supervision for a year.
His licence was endorsed.
Connell, of Kemnay Gardens, will have his CPO reviewed on August 28.
