Drug driver led city chase in stolen bus

A MAN stole a bus and drove dangerously through a city centre while high on drugs, a court heard yesterday.

Hans Reid sped through the streets of Aberdeen and drove in the middle of the road, the bus straddling both carriageways, to stop police overtaking him.

Police gave chase after Reid, 26, took off with the Stagecoach vehicle from Aberdeen Bus Station on May 16.

At one point the single decker ran a red light in the direction of oncoming traffic. It mounted pavements, struck parked vehicles and other drivers had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Video footage of the police chase was uploaded on the internet the following day, Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard.

Yesterday Reid, a prisoner at HMP Grampian, was remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to stealing the bus from the city’s Guild Street depot, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and without insurance. He also admitted kicking PC Alison McGillivray on May 17.

Defence lawyer Gail Goodfellow said he had been under the influence of drugs.

Sheriff Annella Cowan said: ‘In one view your client celebrated his release from prison by stealing a bus.’

A spokesman for Stagecoach North Scotland said the bus was badly damaged, adding: ‘Fortunately nobody was injured.’

Sentence was deferred f or reports and consideration of a supervised release order.