Pedestrians had to duck for cover to avoid van
A van driver ran a red light in Perth city centre - and pedestrians scattered to avoid being struck as the vehicle careered at speed along a number of streets on a Sunday afternoon.
Police activated their blue lights after spotting 21-yearold Anthony McEwan driving at “excessive speed” in South Methven Street at about 4.30pm.
But he ignored them and put the foot down as he crossed onto the opposing carriageway, overtaking other traffic.
He turned into County Place, again exceeding the speed limit - and going through a red traffic light - as the high-speed chase continued.
He drove into the path of oncoming traffic as he then turned left into Leonard Street.
Pedestrians on that carriageway had to “take evasive action to avoid being struck,” depute fiscal Lisa Marshall told Perth Sheriff Court.
The catalogue of dangerous driving continued into Caledonian Road, where he drove through the junction “on the wrong side of the road.”
When the chase finally ended, the depute fiscal said: “He threw his keys out the driver’s window and raised both arms in the air.”
She added: “He did say to the police that he was racing another driver - and on seeing the police he panicked.”
That comment was disputed by the accused and his lawyer, David Sinclair.
McEwan, of Wallace Lea Stables, Falkirk, had an interim driving ban imposed meantime and will discover his fate on February 26 after a background report has been prepared.
He admitted driving the van dangerously - and repeatedly at excessive speed - on several Perth streets on October 13, 2019, and losing control, narrowly avoiding a collision with a traffic island.
A not guilty plea was accepted to a second charge of being in possession of an offensive weapon - a knuckleduster.
Mr Sinclair will give his plea in mitigation next month.