Crash driver jailed after trying to get his partner to take blame

A Fife man who had been drinking in a pub drove through a residential area at high speed, lost control, crashed into parked cars, mounted a pavement and narrowly missed two joggers.

Graeme Robertson, 42, of Keirsbeath Court, Kingseat, admitted that on March 17 in Bellyeoman Road and Robertson Road, Dunfermline, he drove dangerously, at excessive speed, failed to keep his vehicle under control, caused it to collide with and damage two cars and left the carriageway.

On the same day at his home, knowing he had been the driver of the car, with the intention of evading detection and prosecution for road traffic offences and in particular drink-driving, he induced his partner Eileen Bradford to state to the police she had been the driver.

He also stated to police she had been the driver, causing them not to take a sample of his breath.

He was jailed for four months and banned from driving for two years.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf told the court that around 6pm a female driver became concerned about the nature of his driving. Two runners then saw Robertson driving at excess speed with his engine revving. They later recalled both commenting at the time: “What an idiot.”

Robertson lost control on a bend, smashing into two cars, mounting the pavement and stopping a short distance from the runners.

He drove off but his registration had been taken and police saw the damaged car outside his home.

“They spoke to the accused’s partner,” said the depute. “She was extremely evasive but said she had been involved in an accident.”

Two days later Robertson went to Dunfermline Police Station to admit he had been driving.

He told police he had been drinking in the Seven Kings pub and admitted: “I stupidly thought I could get away with it.”

The court heard Robertson had a previous conviction for attempting to pervert the course of justice.