A Tayside property developer accused of driving at more than 100mph claims he refused a police blood test because he is scared of needles.
Mark Harris, 45, is charged with driving at more than 100mph in wet road conditions on the A90 between Invergowrie and Longforgan.
He is also accused of driving at speeds of up to 60mph along Longforgan Main Street, after which he lost control of his vehicle and crashed.
It is alleged that Harris, of Mylnefield House, Invergowrie, failed to stop his Mercedes on December 23 2013 when required to do so by a police officer.
He also faces charges that at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, he failed to provide a blood sample to ascertain the proportion of alcohol in his system.
Sheriff William Wood heard that Harris had started drinking in 2013 to cope with the end of his relationship and some financial setbacks.
Psychologist Mary Keenan Ross told the court that Harris told her he had been scared of needles all his life.
She added: “He consistently refused analgesia at the accident scene and at the A&E department he repeatedly told the consultant no needle.”
The court heard Harris was diagnosed as being afraid of needles by his GP in 1994 after self-referring himself in relation to a dental abscess.
The accused also attended a hypnotherapist for needle phobia in 2010.
A consultant at the hospital was able to insert an intravenous response line into his arm, which was said to have produced no physical response from Harris.
Mrs Ross stated: “She has made a medical decision for the good of Mr Harris that she has had to do it.”
The trial continues at Perth Sheriff Court.