Officer tells court accused drove 4×4 at over 100mph on country road

Police in an unmarked vehicle were overtaken on a country road by a driver whose speed hit 110mph, a court has heard.

James Johnston, 22, of Palma Nova, Backmuir of Pitfirrane, denies that on August 7 2014 on the A907 between Blairhall and Kincardine, he drove a car dangerously at excessive speeds of up to 110mph, overtook a vehicle on a blind bend, overtook other vehicles and drove on the opposing carriageway while passing hidden junctions.

PC Ian Hutchison, 47, told Dunfermline Sheriff Court he was driving to the police college at Tulliallan accompanied by a colleague in an unmarked car, an Audi, which was being leased by the police.

Just west of Blairhall, he saw a Range Rover approaching at speed and then overtake.

PC Hutchison accelerated and then started tracking the 4×4, keeping a set distance to find out what speed it was travelling at.

He said he was having to drive at 100-110mph to track the off-roader.

The Range Rover overtook a car near a bend in the road and had to brake sharply because a vehicle was coming in the opposite direction, the officer claimed.

The trial continues on February 4.