Banned driver caught behind wheel during remembrance parade

A woman was caught driving while disqualified as a remembrance parade took place in a Fife village, a court has heard.

Stacy Miller pulled over to the side of the road as the parade took place and was recognised by a policeman who knew she was banned.

When one of his colleagues asked to see her licence, Miller sped off.

The incident led to an appearance in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for Miller, 29, of Carden Castle Park, Cardenden.

She admitted that on November 13 last year on Main Street, Cardenden, she drove while disqualified. She also admitted she drove dangerously by accelerating away while a police officer held on to the vehicle, and by driving at excessive speed, and that she drove without insurance.

Depute fiscal Claire Bremner told the court there was a parade taking place in Cardenden that Sunday. Police were present in marked vehicles as 80 to 100 people took part and the public attended to watch.

Miller pulled her vehicle over to allow the parade to pass. A police officer spotted her, knew she was disqualified and informed his colleagues.

One of them approached the vehicle and as he did so, Ms Bremner said, Miller “began to edge forward as if to drive away”.

The officer held his hand up to signal her to stay where she was and she wound down her window. The policeman began speaking to her, asked to see her licence and put his hand on the open window.

“She pulled the steering wheel hard to the right and accelerated, forcing the officer back as she drove off,” said the depute.

Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan admitted her client had “a poor driving record”.

“It was never her intention to set out to drive that day but she made a poor decision,” she added.

Of the incident involving the officer, Ms Meehan said: “She quite simply panicked.”

Sheriff Chris Shead imposed a community payback order with 225 hours of unpaid work and banned Miller from driving for 20 months.