Driver banned after speeding at 123mph on Perthshire road

A father has been banned from driving after he was clocked racing at 123mph to see his baby child.

Thomas Paterson reached the speed on the A9 dual carriageway in Perthshire as he drove from his home in the Highlands to Dunfermline.

Paterson asked the court to consider not disqualifying him because it would make it difficult for him to visit his family at weekends.

But a sheriff told him that there was no option but to ban him because of the high speed and the danger he posed to other road users.

Paterson, 29, of Church Terrace, Newtonmore, admitted driving at 123mph on the A9 Inverness to Perth road on May 11.

Depute fiscal Mairi Graham told Perth Sheriff Court that Paterson’s Skoda Fabia was clocked driving south at the junction with the A889 Calvine to Trinafour road in Perthshire.

She said a roadside camera clocked the self-employed plant operator shortly after 2pm on the Saturday.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, said: “He has a seven-month-old child who lives in Dunfermline with his mother.

“He had been due to go on the Friday but was not able to go. He was then going on the Saturday and wanted to make up time.”

She said it was possible that he could lose the job he was currently assigned to if he was banned.

Sheriff William Wood said: “I have no option but to disqualify you, which is what any reasonable court would do. I don’t see that the court can make any other order.”

Paterson was disqualified from driving for four months and fined £500.