A sheriff has questioned the wisdom of a young driver’s plan to set up a garage business as he banned him from the road for two years.
Liam Mutch was chased by police through several Brechin streets before officers gave up the pursuit over fears for the safety of the public.
The 21-year-old was quickly traced to his Gellatly Street home.
Mutch was also made the subject of a two-year community payback order, at the town’s sheriff court yesterday, including 100 hours’ unpaid work, for the dangerous driving offence in February 2012.
Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy said officers on routine patrol met Mutch coming the other way down a track in his MG Rover but he mounted the grass verge and sped off. During the chase, police were unable to gain on him at a speed of 50 miles an hour.
“It was a sunny day with cyclists, dog walkers and children around,” said the fiscal.
Defence agent Bob Bruce said Mutch had been going through an “unstable” period.
He hopes to open the garage within weeks and has someone working with him who has a licence.
Sheriff Kevin Veal, who ordered Mutch to sit an extended test at the conclusion of the ban, said: “This driving was seriously lacking in quality and the wider public could have been affected by it.
“I don’t think I would wager a bet on his business succeeding and I don’t think I’m being unduly cynical.”