Man, 83, fined for overtaking

An 83-year-old farmer who kept his driving licence clean for more than half a century has been fined £150 for overtaking cyclists ‘too closely’. Albert Sauer, of Tangymoil Farm, Tangy, was not at Campbeltown Justice of the Peace Court on Monday because of poor health but pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving through his solicitor Christian Kane. Justice of the Peace Margaret McDowall ordered six points reduced to four be added to Sauer’s licence and fined him £200, reduced to £150. Procurator fiscal depute Eoin McGinty said two cyclists were on the A83 near to Kilchenzie at about 11.30am on June 17 this year when a car travelling slowly behind them beeped its horn. The cyclists told police that at that point they could not see if there were any oncoming vehicles. They complained the car got very close to them, overtaking on a corner and almost colliding with them. When police went to Sauer’s home later, he said the pair had been ‘cycling carelessly’ all over the road and insisted he had been able to see clearly ahead before he overtook. Mr Kane told the court that if the cyclists were concerned enough to report the matter to the police, his client was of the view that he had been too close to them. But added: ‘He beeped his horn to let them know that he was behind them, rather than out of frustration.’ The court heard nowadays Sauer just kept some lambs and donkeys on his farm and had a limited income. Mr Kane also said his client, who had been ‘surprised’ when the police called, had been driving for more than 50 years and had a clean licence. He said Sauer had not been to the optician for 30 years. ‘His eyesight is fine,’ he said.