118MPH DRIVER HAD GIRL, 4, IN CAR
A reckless boy racer sped down the motorway at 118mph – with a girl of four in the passenger seat.
Aidan Collins, 22, has been banned from the road after he bombed through busy traffic on the M8.
The telecoms mast repairman looks set to lose his job after he admitted dangerous driving at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Sheriff David Pender slammed the motorist and also slapped him with a £1,500 fine.
He said: “How grossly irresponsible to drive with a fouryear-old child in the passenger seat.”
Collins was spotted speeding down the motorway between junctions 30 and 31 at Bishopton.
Cops clocked him at almost 50mph over the limit.
They chased after him and pulled him over and discovered the girl in the seat next to him.
He sparked panic by tearing down the road shortly before 2pm
Prosecutor Frank Clarke told
A thug who embarked on a crime spree across Paisley has been warned he could be jailed.
Out- o f- cont rol Connor McNamara, 21, tried to sell thousands of pounds worth of stolen property from a house in the town’s Coats Drive in a dodgy deal which saw him done for reset.
McNamara also stole a family’s car from a house at Victoria Road in the town and, just days later, he was done for having class A drug cocaine.
At Paisley Sheriff Court this week, McNamara, from George Street, pleaded guilty to three charges involving the reset of stolen goods, the car theft and the drugs possession.
Defence agent Andy Brophy confirmed the lout, who has previously been locked up for crimes of violence and dishonesty, was admitting responsibilty for the string of offences as he appeared in the dock before Sheriff Vincent Canavan.
Four of his co- accused, who stood beside him in the dock, saw charges against them dropped, as their pleas of not guilty were accepted by the Crown.
Mr Brophy said: “He is a young how the driver sped by passing cars in his Audi A5.
He said: “While on the M8, police determined the speed of the vehicle to be 118mph.
“The vehicle was driven by the accused and was brought to a halt.
“Officers noted what they considered to be a young person in the passenger seat. The driver was spoken to and the young person was found to be four-years-old.”
Collins has since sold the motor and begged for mercy because Ron Moore man of 21 and his schedule of previous convictions is admitted.
“There is a lengthy background here and I would imagine your lordship would call for reports.”
Court papers reveal McNamara attempted to sell a quantity of jewellery, a box of miniature alcohol spirits, a laptop and a sat nav on October 14, 2016, at 16 Coats Drive. All of the items had been appropriated by theft.
He also admitted stealing a motor vehicle from a property at 63 Victoria Drive on October 20, 2016.
And he also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine at a flat at 48 George Street.
Sheriff Canavan voiced concern over McNamara’s appalling record of offending, given his young age.
He said: “You were convicted of an assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement and were locked up for 40 months at a young offenders.
“While in Polmont, you thumped someone.
“You were also handed a supervised release order on your release.”
The sheriff added that he was seeking full background reports in preparation for sentencing McNamara.
The yob will learn of his fate when he appears back at court next month. his job takes him to sites across Britain.
He hired a crack road crime law firm known for helping celebrities and footballers beat driving raps.
Defence lawyer Martin Black insisted his client would have to be driven around if he was not sacked.
He said: “His remorse is palpable. His job is the repair and maintenance of phone masts.
“His employers are aware of the case. He has been open about it.
“He accepts that whatever happens to him will be his cross to bare. It’s 50-50 whether he will keep it.”
The driver has been disqualified from the road for three years for the stunt on November 12, 2016.
Sheriff David Pender warned Collins he was lucky not to face a stiffer penalty.
Collins, of Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, has been ordered to resit the extended driving test before he can get back behind the wheel.