Disqualified driver made a dash to Fife after asbestos find

A businessman raced through Perth after one of his sons was exposed to potentially deadly asbestos despite being banned from driving.

Alexander MacLeod was on his way to a property in Fife, which was being worked on by his firm, after being alerted to the presence of the material. He felt he was needed at the site as he was the only one of the company’s employees who had received training in recognising and removing asbestos.

Despite his existing disqualification, he got behind the wheel of his van in the Black Isle and started to make the 145-mile journey towards Glenrothes.

However when he reached Perth – just 22 miles short of his destination – a police check alerted officers to the fact that the vehicle did not have appropriate insurance and MacLeod was found to be disqualified.

Yesterday at Perth Sheriff Court MacLeod, whose previous driving bans include a five-year stretch, was jailed for four months.

He was also handed a further disqualification of six years.

Solicitor David Sinclair, issuing a plea in mitigation on behalf of MacLeod, said his client was concerned for the welfare of his son, who was one of his four employees.

He said: “When an issue with asbestos was discovered at a property in Glenrothes he’s made the decision to drive to the property, knowing that he was a disqualified driver.

“It was his son that was exposed to asbestos and there was understandably concern for his welfare.”

He added that MacLeod, who had previously been remanded, had “learned his lesson” while in custody.

However, Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney opted to jail MacLeod.

MacLeod, 46, of Munro Terrace, Rosemarkie, admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on the M90 between Broxden Roundabout and the Craigend junction on August 6.