Jail for disqualified driver who repeatedly ignored ban

A disqualified driver who has repeatedly ignored his ban has been jailed for 18 months.

Mark Bratchie was seen behind the wheel in Lochore and Dunfermline and now has six convictions for driving while disqualified.

Bratchie, 27, of Mitchell Crescent, Hill of Beath, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court where he admitted that on November 6 last year in Ballingry Road, Lochore, he drove while disqualified and without insurance.

He also admitted that on March 20 in Halbeath Road, Pittburg Road, Dunlin Drive and Linburn Road, Dunfermline, he drove while disqualified and without insurance. He further admitted that on May 19 at Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, he assaulted a police constable by throwing a can of lager at her.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the Lochore offence took place at 3.50pm when police officers saw Bratchie driving.

They tried to follow him but were unable to stop him.

In the latter traffic offence, Bratchie was spotted driving by an off-duty police officer. He reported the matter and police attempted to pull him over using their sirens and blue lights, but he did not stop. When police spotted Bratchie at a block of flats in Cowdenbeath on Friday he threw a can of lager at a female officer, but missed her.

After being arrested he told police: “Sorry, it shouldn’t have happened. I was just trying to get away.”

Sheriff Alison McKay said: “These were your fifth and sixth offences of driving while disqualified and beyond that your record is frankly atrocious.”

She jailed Bratchie for 18 months and banned him from driving for 10 years.