Carnoustie pensioner for trial over dangerous driving charge

A pensioner who has denied a charge of dangerous driving by allegedly ignoring a flashing red light at an Angus railway crossing will face trial later this year.

Robert Clarke, 75, of Bruce Drive, Carnoustie, is charged with driving a car at the Carnoustie railway level crossing on March 9 this year, failing to comply to “stop” given by an intermittent red light and continuing to cross the level crossing while a passenger train was approaching, narrowly avoiding a collision with the barrier.

Clarke did not appear in the dock when his case called before Sheriff Jillian Martinbrown on Tuesday but solicitor Billy Rennie tendered a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf.

Trial was set for August 7, with an intermediate diet in the case next month.

Also at Forfar: Dale Leith, 43, of no fixed abode, was placed on an 18-month community payback order with supervision and mental health treatment conditions.

He previously admitted assaulting his 64-year-old mother to her injury at a house in Arbroath on March 9 this year by brandishing a pot at her, threatening her with violence, striking her on the head with a pot, repeatedly punching her on the head and body, putting his arm around her neck and restricting her breathing.

Sheriff Martin-brown told Leith: “This is an alternative to prison.

“This is a serious offence and something has to change,”

William Stewart, 18, of Stannergate, Perth was placed on a three-month high tariff deferred sentence having previously admitted offences including breaching bail and resisting arrest at North Grimsby, Arbroath, on December 18 last year.