A teenager “panicked” and reversed a car at excessive speed down an Aberdeen street after being caught driving while disqualified.
Euan Munro had been banned last September, but was caught behind the wheel in February.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that the 19-year-old came to the attention of police because he was driving at “concerning speeds”.
Officers tracked him down on Cruden Crescent, Aberdeen – but instead of stopping, Munro reversed “at speed down the street” in an attempt to get away.
He then led them on a chase through the surrounding streets, reaching 50mph.
Depute fiscal Felicity Merson said that when officers reached the junction near Byron Crescent, they slowed down and lost Munro but later recovered his car.
The incident happened at about 6.20pm on February 27.
Munro, of Cruden Crescent, Aberdeen, yesterday admitted failing to stop when asked, driving at 50mph in a 30mph zone and failing to slow down at junctions while trying to evade police.
He also admitted driving while disqualified, and without insurance.
Defence agent Christopher Maitland said his client had “panicked” when he saw the police, while he was out taking the car for a test drive with a friend.
Mr Maitland said: “He is a young age and I would hope he is not a hopeless case. He has a clear view of what he needs to do to get out of the pattern of offending.”
Sheriff Ian Wallace fined him £1,000, ordered him 170 hours of unpaid work and banned him for three years and four months.