Boxer banned after 130mph drive home
A PROFESSIONAL boxer who drove at 130mph because he was tired and ‘wanted to get home’ has been banned from the road.
A police patrol spotted John McCallum driving his BMW at excessive speed on the A92 on February 10, 2016.
Following a trial in April this year, the 28-yearold, from Galashiels, Selkirkshire, was found guilty of dangerous driving and sentence was deferred.
When he returned to Dunfermline Sheriff Court, the boxer was fined £1,000 and disqualified from driving for 18 months, backdated to April 3 when an interim ban was imposed.
McCallum, who trains in Glenrothes, Fife, will fight for the Celtic super-middleweight title at Meadowbank Stadium in October.
Defence solicitor Peter Mullin said his client’s life had been greatly disrupted by the ban.
‘It has put his boxing career in jeopardy but those who work with him are going to do all they can to keep it going,’ he said.
McCallum denied the charge but his trial heard how police officers spotted his BMW on the A92 between the Cardenbarns overbridge and Lochgelly overbridge, Fife, around 10.30pm.
PC Charles Guthrie, 50, who was travelling in the police car, said his attention was drawn to the boxer’s vehicle because it was being driven at speeds ‘well in excess of the 70mph limit’.
In evidence, patrol car driver PC Craig Hall said he followed the BMW at 95mph.
However, McCallum then accelerated and for just under two miles was recorded at 130mph, the court was told.
McCallum then slowed down to around 70mph and the police blue lights were activated. The boxer pulled over and PC Hall said McCallum explained he had been to the gym, was tired and ‘wanted to get home as soon as possible’.
McCallum did not give evidence at his trial.