A WAR veteran who drove at more than twice the speed limit in Dundee was told by a sheriff that “it was lucky no one had been killed”.
Alexander Gibson, 42, was caught travelling at 84mph in a 40mph zone. He said he needed to rush home to empty his artificial bladder.
Sheriff Simon Collins told Gibson his dangerous driving was “absolutely crazy” and that he was lucky not to have killed someone.
Former soldier Gibson, of Rosendael, Victoria Road, Broughty Ferry — a home for veterans — lost the use of his bladder when it was punctured by a piece of shrapnel during Army service.
Fiscal depute Stewart Duncan told the court Gibson was seen driving at excessive speed in Dundee Road West at 2.40pm on August 24 2013.
The fiscal said: “Police were carrying out checks in the area when they saw the accused’s vehicle travelling at high speed.
“He was driving at more than twice the speed limit and was seen to be overtaking a line of slower-moving vehicles.”
Once Gibson had overtaken the line of traffic, he then moved back on to the correct side of the road.
Solicitor Alexandra Short, defending, told the court Gibson has an artificial bladder and other medical problems stemming from his time spent in the Army.
Miss Short said: “He now has a fitted catheter but at the time of the offence he was using disposable ones.
“The day before the offence he had been to the pharmacy to pick up some catheters but there weren’t any, so he had to go back the following day to get some.
“He was unable to empty his artificial bladder and was in a rush to do so — that’s what led him to drive in this manner.”
Miss Short added that Gibson was not trying to excuse his behaviour but was merely trying to explain the reason for it.
Gibson admitted driving a car dangerously by driving at 84mph in a 40mph zone while overtaking a line of slower-moving vehicles, all to the danger of other road users, at Dundee Road West.
Sheriff Collins said: “His medical condition is another matter — this kind of driving is absolutely crazy.
“He’s lucky no one was killed. He shouldn’t have been driving like that, no matter the reason.”
Gibson was disqualified from driving for two years and fined £1,000.
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