A plumber has been fined after answering his mobile phone whilst driving on a busy Aberdeenshire roundabout and speeding.
Hugh Suller was caught talking into the handset as he drove on the A947 Oldmdeldrum to Turriff road at its roundabout with the B9170 road from Inverurie to Methlick earlier this year.
The 27-year-old, who had been spotted by officers “clearly talking” into the handset, was followed and caught travelling at 85mph in his van.
At Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, where he appeared to be sentenced, depute fiscal Stephanie Ross said: “They drove behind the vehicle and followed him.
“It was clear he was travelling in excess of the 50mph, which was the speed limit.”
Suller’s solicitor, Graham Morrison, said his client – who is also studying to become a mechanical engineer – accepted that he had been going “far too fast” on the date in question, November 28 last year.
He said Suller, of 3 Barclay Road, Inverurie, ran a plumbing and heating business which took him to clients across the north-east.
He said that without a driving license, both his business and studying would be affected.
Sheriff Alison Stirling gave Suller six penalty points, reduced from nine to take account of his early guilty plea.
He was also fined £400, reduced from £600 which he must pay at a rate of £100 per month.