The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Biker fined and banned after 130mph police chase
Driver has ‘no explanation’
A motorcyclist has been fined £2,000 and banned for 18 months after driving at 130mph on the north’s busiest road.
An unmarked police car pursued Joshua MacPhee for six miles on the A9, but the rider did not notice its sirens and blue flashing lights.
A motorcyclist has been fined £2,000 and banned for 18 months after driving at 130mph on the north’s busiest road.
An unmarked police car pursued Joshua MacPhee for six miles on the A9, but the rider did not notice its sirens and blue flashing lights.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that the 26-year old, of Ord Road, Muir of Ord, was seen by officers overtaking several vehicles on the nearside lane of the dual carriageway before accelerating at speed away from them.
The lengthy pursuit began on the A9 near the Munlochy junction on September 29 last year.
The court heard that the police vehicle attempted to keep up with the bike but it continued to pull away from them.
Fiscal depute Ross Carvel said: “The blue lights and siren were activated near the Arpafeelie junction with the police car travelling at a constant speed of 130mph.
“However MacPhee continued to pass a number of vehicles despite warning signs of pedestrians crossing.
“Police were behind him when he stopped at the Tore Roundabout but he was oblivious to their presence and headed towards Muir of Ord. He once again accelerated, passing more warning signs, junctions and houses.”
Mr Carvel added that MacPhee was travelling at speeds of almost twice the permitted speed limit of 60mph and did a number of high-speed overtakes.
“He was forced to slow down by a series of bends and he then became aware of the police behind him and stopped,” the fiscal depute added.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson said: “It is a long time to become aware of blue lights and sirens.”
MacPhee admitted a charge of dangerous driving.
Defending, Shahid Latif said MacPhee, who has since sold the bike, had “no explanation” for his driving.
“He also accepts there can be no justification for driving at these speeds,” he said.
The landscape gardener will also have to resit the extended driving test.