Drink-driver crashed through hedge while being pursued

A drink-driver crashed at speed through a hedge and into a garden while being pursued by a furious motorist he had crashed into minutes earlier.

Daniel Johnson, 41, lost control of his car while he was being chased by the irate owner of a VW Golf he had damaged in an earlier collision.

Johnson, Proudfoot Court, Perth, admitted driving around various streets in the city on June 18 while he was nearly twice the legal alcohol limit.

He also admitted driving carelessly and crashing through the hedge before ending in the garden at Gannochy Corner.

The full incident and chase was recorded on a dashboard camera by a third driver who saw Johnson trying to leave the scene of the crash.

Johnson initially lost control coming around a bend into Bridgend, and hit the side of a parked vehicle. As he drove off he was pursued by the driver of the damaged car.

The video showed Johnson swerving across the carriageway and undertaking another car before mounting the pavement.

Perth Sheriff Court heard Johnson drove on Gowrie Street, Perth Bridge, Main Street, Strathmore Street, Pitcullen Crescent and Gannochy Corner.

He was filmed swerving again before ploughing through a hedge and ending in the garden.

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said Johnson had two previous convictions related to drink-driving and had been drinking on the day.

Mr McLaughlin said: “He was abstinent for some time but he had started drinking again.”

Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney banned Johnson from driving in the interim and deferred sentence for reports.