Drink-driver sped through town trying to evade police, court told

A drink-driver from Lochgelly sped dangerously through the centre of Cowdenbeath trying to escape pursuing police officers, a court has heard.

Christopher Baxter appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, having been arrested following another alleged drink-driving incident.

Baxter, 23, of Stewart Crescent, Lochgelly, admitted that on July 23 he drove a car dangerously in Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, and High Street, Cowdenbeath, by accelerating to above the speed limit in an attempt to evade officers in a marked police vehicle, and drove at excessive speed.

He also admitted he had been driving on that occasion having consumed excess alcohol.

After being given a breath test, his reading was said to be 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 22 microgrammes.

The court heard that Baxter is also facing allegations of driving offences in Main Street, Cardenden, on Saturday.

In relation to that, he denies charges of drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving without ‘L’ plates when not holding a full licence.

He also pleads not guilty to careless driving at the same locus, driving at excessive speed, losing control of the vehicle and striking a wall.

With Baxter in the dock in Dunfermline, Sheriff Richard McFarlane imposed an immediate driving ban on him as legal proceedings continue.

Baxter is expected to return to court on November 17 for an intermediate diet ahead of a trial date, which was fixed for December 1.

Sentence was deferred until then on the Cowdenbeath offences.