Speeding driver narrowly escapes jail term

A PROFESSIONAL driver narrowly escaped being banned from the road and losing his job after he admitted driving at more than twice the speed limit.

Charlie Coull, 22, of 19 Cameron Place, Fort William, admitted driving carelessly at speeds of up to 65mph in a 30mph zone on May 1 2016 on the A82 north of Fort William.

Coull’s solicitor Stephen Kennedy told Fort William Sheriff Court Coull already had six points on his driving licence for failure to stop and report.

Mr Kennedy told the court Coull realised he had put himself in a ‘ very serious position’ as he is in full-time employment as a driver/shunter and his licence was essential to his employment.

He said Coull had spoken to his employers who had told him if he was disqualified for anything longer than two months he would lose his job.

Mr Kennedy added that Coull seemed to be a valued employee and his employer would like to keep him.

He therefore suggested to the sheriff that he give six points or fewer, or none, and no disqualification.

Mr Kennedy asked that the sheriff take into account the fact his client had a lot of debts to pay and that Coull’s previous points were not for speeding but as the result of clipping a van that braked suddenly in front of him.

Sheriff William Taylor said: ‘It seems that although you may well have reached speeds of 65mph, you did so for what was really the blink of an eye.’

He added: ‘Let it be a lesson to you that if you do speed you are likely to get caught.’

Sheriff Taylor fined Coull £ 500, to be paid in monthly instalments of £125, and issued four penalty points.