Dangerous driver put lives at risk

A DANGEROUS driver led police on a dramatic high-speed chase through rural Angus before abandoning his car in a field.

Kane McDonald put lives at risk when he sped through the darkened countryside with youngsters in his vehicle.

Several police units were deployed to try and stop the “out of control” Honda CR-V.

But the 25-year-old went off-road and ditched the vehicle in farmland, before vanishing.

McDonald, of Armour Place, Dundee, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted driving dangerously and without insurance on November 11 2020.

Sheriff Derek Reekie told him: “Your court report makes for very sorry reading. You seem to have no remorse whatsoever for driving in this manner.

“You could have killed yourself, the occupants of this car, or any other road users who had the misfortune to come across you.”

He said: “It was a prolonged distance that you travelled while police were pursuing you.

“This was outrageous driving. You put yourself and everyone else at very serious risk.”

The sheriff added: “The custody threshold has definitely been met, but I am just persuaded that there is an alternative disposal.”

McDonald was fined £400, placed on a restriction of liberty curfew for nine months and banned from driving for 27 months.

Fiscal depute Jill Drummond told the court McDonald only has a provisional driving licence.

“Officers received information that the accused was seen driving in the Fintry area of Dundee in a reckless manner,” she said.

“At about 10.20pm, police were on mobile patrol in a marked vehicle in Camperdown Park.

“Officers observed the accused’s vehicle negotiating a left hand turn on to Dayton

Drive. It appeared to be out of control, leaning heavily to one side as it turned at an inappropriate speed.”

She said the Honda travelled at speed along Dayton Drive, then on to Coupar Angus Road.

“At this time, officers saw that there was a group of youths within the vehicle.”

“Officers followed the vehicle they had initially seen, with the intention of stopping it to speak with the driver, regarding his manner of driving.

“The vehicle was followed for a short distance, while more officers were brought in to help stop it.

“But the vehicle turned off into a field, which was unsuitable for police vehicles to follow.”

The court heard the car came to a halt and three people got out and made off on foot.

Just before midnight, one of the people in the car identified McDonald as the driver.

The next day, McDonald was traced and admitted he had been driving.