Car ‘obsession’ drives Brechin man to get behind wheel during ban

An Angus man who drove while disqualified could not “distance himself” from an obsession with cars, a court heard.

Kristoffer John Halliday, 19, of Nursery Park in Brechin, admitted to driving while disqualified on July 13 around the town. He further admitted possessing an offensive weapon on June 25 in Montrose Street, Brechin, namely a hammer.

Appearing for Halliday, defence agent Lynsey McLeod said there had been no offences committed since the driving infraction and he was entering into a stable period in his life for the first time in a long while.

Both offences had been committed in June and July last year and Halliday has displayed good behaviour since.

Ms McLeod said: “For the first time in his life, he has managed to maintain a good relationship and she manages to calm him down a lot.

“He actually has a bit of an obsession with engines and cars… and finds it hard to distance himself from them.”

Halliday was sentenced to a community payback order for 12 months, with interaction with the probation service and mental health authorities to be directed by his social worker.

He remained banned from driving for 15 months from the date of an interim disqualification.