An Angus driver pursued another motorist along the A90 in a stop-start chase before colliding with them.
George Carle of Westfield, Kirriemuir, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court on Tuesday, facing a charge of dangerous driving on the A90 near Inveraldie, which was amended to careless driving “at the upper end of the scale” according to a sheriff. Carle, 54, admitted driving alongside a Vauxhall Vectra driven by Ian Stewart and making abusive gestures at the occupants, pulling in front, repeatedly slowing down, stopping in front of the Astra, and forcing it to drive on the verge to avoid hitting him.
He further admitted pursuing the vehicle, colliding with its rear, and causing Mr Stewart to lose control of his car.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said Mr Stewart was driving his Vauxhall Astra along the A90 north, leaving Dundee at 3pm on September 8.
“He was in the outside lane and the accused was driving the vehicle behind him, an Audi A6,” she added.
“Mr Stewart pulled into lane one to allow the accused to overtake. On doing so, the accused appeared to make rude gestures with his hands.”
Ms Kennedy said the accused got out of the vehicle, shouting at Mr Stewart, who then drove on to the verge and around the Audi to get away.
The driver then left the A90 to go on to the C7 unclassified road between Tealing and Kirkton of Auchterhouse.
Ms Kennedy said an unmarked police vehicle passed in the opposite direction.
Officers later noted a dent on the Astra as well as a scratch, which they thought were consistent with the allegations.
Sheriff Kevin Veal noted the incident as “quite aggressive driving”.
“This seemed to have got worse when they left the A90 and went on to the single-lane, unclassified road,” he said.
“I agree with the fiscal it’s clearly at the upper end of careless driving. He is perhaps fortunate the guillotine came down on this side of dangerous driving.”
Defending Carle, solicitor Bob Bruce said his client had intended to follow the other car to its home and report the matter to police.
“As he drove past, he said there was the finger and so on, the usual gesticulations,” he said. “His plan was to pursue them back to where they lived.
“He was unaware of the collision having taken place but the plea has been tendered.”
The court heard Carle drives 44-tonne lorries for Ringlink.
He was fined £500 and given eight penalty points.