Four injured after motorist, 77, drove into path of other cars

A 77-year-old motorist drove into the path of traffic on the A9 Perth to Inverness road and caused a crash that left four people injured, Perth Sheriff Court heard on yesterday.

Robert Haldon, of Harrogate, Yorkshire, will now need to have his driving assessed before he appears at court to be sentenced.

He pleaded guilty by letter to the charge which took place on May 7 at the House of Bruar junction at Blair Atholl.

Haldon admitted he drove without due care and attention by entering the A9 when it was unsafe to do so and drove into the path of another car.

Both vehicles were damaged in the crash and four people, including Haldon and his wife, were injured.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis deferred sentence on Haldon until January 16 for him to contact a credited driving instructor in order to assess Haldon’s capability to drive.

Meanwhile, Rebecca HowieBuchanan, 22, of Druids Park, Murthly, will stand trial on drink-driving charges on March 13.

She denies driving with excess alcohol – 138 milligrams – on June 25 in Dunkeld Road, Perth. The legal limit is 50.

An intermediate diet was arranged for February 22.

Iain Merchant, 20, of Menzies Court, Perth, will face trial on an assault charge on March 14.

He denies assaulting a man on November 3 in Crieff Road, Perth, by seizing him by the neck, pushing him on the body, pushing him into the road and attempting to punch him on the body.

Merchant also denies a charge that on the same date and location he pretended he had a knife and threatened to stab two other people.