An 83-year-old singer has been allowed to keep his licence despite driving the wrong way around a roundabout in full view of police.
Lewis Pacitti got confused on approach to the Port Elphinstone roundabout on the A96 and entered it going in the wrong direction.
Fortunately, eagle-eyed police officers saw what was happening and quickly managed to block off the roundabout and stop a potential head-on collision.
Now the pensioner, who performs for elderly audiences at care homes, has appeared in court over the incident but has been let off with points rather than a driving ban.
‘The police saw this coming and managed to intercept’
Fiscal depute Tom Procter told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened at 7.45pm on January 2 last year, when police driving on A96 near the Port Elphinstone roundabout spotted Pacitti.
The officers noted the pensioner cross onto the opposing carriageway and indicate right on approach to the roundabout.
He then proceeded to enter the roundabout from that lane and travel around it in the wrong direction.
‘It’s fortunate the police were near when this happened’
Mr Procter said: “The police saw this coming and managed to intercept the roundabout and block it before the accused could proceed any further with this manoeuvre.
“The accused was stopped by the police and cautioned and charged with the offence.”
Pacitti, of Balmoral Avenue, Ellon, pled guilty to careless driving.
Defence agent Stuart Flowerdew said his client had no previous convictions and had “nothing to besmirch his character at all”.
He explained Pacitti was unfamiliar with the part of the route where the incident occurred.
The solicitor said Pacitti uses his vehicle to drive to various old folks’ homes where he performs as a singer.
Sheriff Lesley Johnston told Pacitti: “I think it’s fortunate the police were near when this happened and they were able to prevent any sort of accident happening as a result of your actions.”
She fined him £320 and handed him six penalty points.
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