Mechanic clocked driving at 94mph is hit with £400 fine

A mechanic was spotted undertaking a motor and bombing by a marked cop car at nearly 100mph.

Stephen Cochrane, 24, failed to spot the police before making the illegal manoeuvre on the A737.

He was immediately pulled over and admitted: “I’m an idiot.”

Cochrane pled guilty to careless driving at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Defence lawyer Ronnie Simpson conceded his client was going far too fast.

He said: “He was in a hurry. “There was nothing in lane one. “There was a vehicle travelling in lane two under the speed limit.

“He was going with his partner to collect their daughter from her grandmother.

“They had been delayed.

“The grandmother works in the evening and was having to leave shortly.

“She was applying a little bit of pressure by phone because she was leaving for work.

“It doesn’t excuse what he has done, two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Cochrane was caught speeding in his Audi A4 estate.

He was travelling southbound on the stretch around 5.40pm.

Cops clocked him travelling well in excess of the 70mph limit.

Prosecutor Laura Wilcox told how they followed and demanded he pull over.

She said: “Officers were on duty within a marked police vehicle.

“They observed a motor vehicle travelling in front of them.

“They observed it move quickly out of lane two and into lane one and undertake a silver car.

“Thereafter, it moved back into lane two.

“They noted the vehicle moved off quickly.

“A speed of 94mph was confirmed.

“Officers signalled for the car to stop.

“It did so immediately near the Kilbarchan Interchange.

“He was remorseful and said, I’m an idiot – I’m sorry.”

The court heard Cochrane works as a mechanic and his licence is essential for his job.

He has a previous conviction for speeding from six years ago.

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew was amazed the driver pulled the stunt in front of police and fined him £400.

He said: “You have pled guilty to undertaking and driving at excessive speeds – including 94mph in a 70mph zone.

“You may have been under pressure, but you were the person who was late.”

Cochrane, of Glasgow, was slapped with seven penalty points and was ordered to pay monthly instalments of £80.

You may have been under pressure, but you were the person who was late