A motorist who raced at 132mph on the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen road has told a court the offence has left his career in tatters.
Agricultural worker John MacAulay was caught by a police speed trap as he travelled at dangerously high speed near Tomhommie on April 26 last year.
MacAulay, 27, of High Street in Aberlour, narrowly avoided a jail sentence following an appearance at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
Defence laywer Duncan Henderson, however, said his client had already lost his job as a result of the offence.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetword heard it had been obvious to police that MacAulay’s Toyota Corlla sports car was travelling “extremely in excess of the 60mph limit”.
He was spotted travelling on the A96 during the hours of darkness, prompting a patrol vehicle to tail and then stop his vehicle.
Mr Henderson said: “He is a father of two and is now looking for new employment.
“He will not be able to get agricultural work for some considerable time because he will not have a licence and will have to resit the extended driving test of competency.
“It is conceded that it is a grossly excessive speed.”
Ordering MacAulay to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and banning him from driving for two years, the sheriff said: “There can never be any excuse for travelling at this speed.
“Given that you have offended before, a custodial sentence could be justified but I will impose the alternative.”
On the A96 in Aberdeenshire, meanwhile, a motorcyclist has been charged after allegedly being clocked doing 137mph.
The 46-year-old man is accused of driving dangerously between Blackburn and Kintore on Wednesday afternoon.
The man will be reported to the procurator fiscal.
Sergeant Steve Manson said: “A collision at this speed could result in catastrophic consequences. The A96 has a maximum speed limit of 70mph for a reason.”