Highland man says he’s “grown out of souped-up vehicles” after admitting careless driving offence

A van driver overtook a vehicle at speed and drove on past road works, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.

Roadmen flagged fencing contractor James Ross to slow down, but he ignored their signals and drove on.

Ross, 23, admitted careless driving and a record. He was disqualified from driving for two months and ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid community work.

Fiscal Fraser Matheson said that he had been tail-gating a vehicle in front of him prior to overtaking it and sped away passed the roadworks without slowing down.

Mr Matheson added: “The accused was driving at an excessive speed for the road conditions and the roadworks.”

Solicitor Sylvia MacLennan said that Ross, of Heatherbell Cottages, John O’ Groats, appreciated that he had been driving “in a very stupid and irresponsible way”. He had now “grown out of souped-up vehicles” and had since disposed of the van.

Miss Maclennan added that Ross had just purchased it and although the paperwork had not been fully processed, believed he was covered by the vehicle’s insurance.

Six points were added to Ross’s licence bring the total up to nine points.