A teenager who “wants to be a mechanic” has been banned from the roads after he drove his car at high speed with no headlights on.
Kai Daniels, 18, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted driving his BMW dangerously around a roundabout the wrong way, which resulted in a crash.
The court heard that he drove onto the wrong side of the road before attempting to negotiate a roundabout where he crashed into the other car.
It was also stated that Daniels pleaded guilty in a separate court to driving his car without insurance.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Cardow told the court at a previous hearing that at around 2am on May 8 last year constables were on mobile patrol travelling westbound on the Parkway in Aberdeen when they saw Daniels’ black BMW driving with its lights off.
“As the police officers were reaching the 30mph speed limit on the Parkway they saw the accused’s vehicle accelerate away at excessive speed,” she said.
“They observed the accused driving for 600 metres before he entered the wrong side of the carriageway and approached a roundabout at Gordon Brae.
“The accused’s vehicle then struck a stationary grey Volkswagen and sped off.”
Due to the speed Daniels was driving, police were unable to stop his vehicle but they noted down the registration and traced him to his home address.
Daniels pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving by driving at excessive speed, entering an opposing carriageway, taking a roundabout the wrong way and striking a vehicle.
It was stated that he did this while also driving with no lights on during the hours of darkness.
‘Injure yourself or someone else’
Defence agent Christopher Maitland told the court he hoped his client had “taken this experience as a lesson”, but added: “Only time will tell”.
He continued: “There’s no excuse for his driving and he acknowledges this was a poor piece of driving.
“Mr Daniels apologises for the way that he drove on this occasion.”
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin noted that Daniels, who is currently taking part in an apprenticeship, wants to be a mechanic.
“I’m sure your solicitor has given you a lot of advice about sailing so close to the wind with your driving,” she said.
“You do need to keep this apprenticeship going as hopefully that will be the one thing that stops you from driving so badly.
“I’m concerned that by driving like this you will injure yourself or someone else.”
Sheriff McLaughlin fined Daniels, of Western Avenue, Ellon, a total of £790 and banned him from driving for 12 months.
Daniels was also ordered to re-sit his driving test once his ban is finished.
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