A dangerous driver who led police on a chase through Moray before overturning his car has been banned from driving for more than two years.
Steven Thompson, 54, was spotted by concerned witnesses driving erratically at various locations on the Cullen to Keith road and then in and around Dufftown.
Police were called after Thompson, of Raffan Road in Buckie, was seen weaving across the carriageway on the Keith to Drummuir road at around 3pm on January 2 this year.
Thompson caused a collision with another driver on the B9009 Dufftown to Auchbreck road when he repeatedly drove onto the opposite carriageway and hit into the near side of the other motorist’s vehicle, causing the wing mirror to fall off.
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When police attended, Thompson attempted to evade them by going 50mph in a 30 zone and accelerating away from the officers in two residential streets in Dufftown, Fife Street and Low Road.
Yesterday he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court after admitting dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention and failing to supply a breath specimen at a previous hearing.
Depute fiscal Rowena Carlton told the court Thompson was witnessed by police “rolling a number of times” after he lost control of the car before it landed on its roof.
He then refused to take a breath test when asked by the officers.
Defence solicitor Matthew O’Neill explained that his client was deeply embarrassed and remorseful about his actions.
He said: “Mr Thompson has issues with alcohol and has put in place a number of steps to avoid drinking, including taking medication.
“He uses his work to avoid drinking, but had stopped working for the Christmas period.
“Behaviour like this is out of sorts for him as if he was working in the evening he would not be here.”
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov disqualified him from driving for 30 months and ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody
Thompson was also placed under supervision and ordered to attend alcohol counselling.