Motorist who sped through Aviemore at more than 70mph avoids jail
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A 26 year old man with a poor record of driving offences was told by a Sheriff he would "never be closer to going to jail than you are today".
Liam Strother on Mayfield Road, Thurso appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court earlier today after admitting driving dangerously in Aviemore on April 13, 2020 and driving while disqualified.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told Sheriff Sara Matheson that Strother was travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph in the village, on the wrong side of the road for a time and narrowly missed striking a pedestrian.
Police had initially managed to halt his vehicle, but as they approached it, he reversed sharply and sped away before officers eventually stopped him, Ms Duffy-Welsh added.
Defence solicitor Grant Daglish said: "He has let himself down here, but his partner has changed his life and he is genuinely remorseful."
After warning Strother he was close to jail, Sheriff Matheson said: "These are appalling offences which show a level of danger which causes me deep concern. But there is an alternative to prison."
She placed him under two years' of social work supervision and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
Strother will also have to wear an electronic tag for the next four months confining him to his home between 7pm and 7am.
He was also banned from driving for three years.
The Sheriff added: "If you breach this, you can take it from me, you will be brought back here and it will be a custodial sentence."
