Man behind wheel while banned

A disqualified driver who got back behind the wheel within weeks of being banned has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Mark Tait told a court he had driven because of an emergency involving his partner, but the 42-year-old was criticised for his actions on a rural road in Angus.

Tait, of Polepark Road, Dundee, admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on the B9113 Forfar to Montrose road on November 10 last year.

His solicitor told the court he took full responsibility for his actions and a social work report had indicated he felt a “high degree of remorse and regret” over the offence.

“He knows his behaviour could be frowned upon by the wider community,” he added.

Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “The previous disqualification was only imposed in August and this was an offence committed in November.

“It is a matter of concern that you drove and the explanation you gave that you were acting in the interest of safety by taking over from your partner because there was an emergency is not good enough.

“You simply chose to drive, there were other ways of dealing with this,”

Tait was placed on a community payback order which will include supervision for one year and 120 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months. He was also banned for two years.