Driver disqualified after Hogmanaypolice chase
A RECKLESS driver who sped away from police after being pulled over has been disqualified from driving.
Gerard Lowrie, 45, was spotted by police on uniform duty in the Springboig area on New Year’s Eve last year.
Police officers had their attention drawn to Lowrie in a Tesco petrol station, near Springboig Road, as he mounted a pavement.
After pulling Lowrie, of Conisborough Road, Provanhall, over to perform a routine check, he told police he was going to “reverse” into a space.
He was asked to turn off his engine and remove the key from the ignition, a request which he ignored.
It was noted that he then proceeded to put the car into first gear before accelerating away from the officers, who were forced to pursue him.
While chasing him in a marked vehicle, Lowrie was seen to have difficulty turning into a junction and narrowly avoided a collision with a taxi driver, who was forced to break suddenly.
Rather than stop there, the Provanhall-man continued to evade officers and, back-up officers who had been asked to assist, before he was lost from sight.
A check of the details linked to the car revealed his home address which was attended by police.
The Renault Laguna from the chase was seen at the front of the property.
Lowrie appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to driving without a license, with no insurance and for driving at excessive speed causing another motorist to break sharply while being pursued by police.
His defence agent told the court that his client had recently bought the vehicle, despite not having a license, and had gone to buy cigarettes when he was spotted by police.
Sheriff Joseph Platt ordered Lowrie to undergo 300 hours of unpaid work in the community as a direct alternative to custody.
He will also be disqualified from driving for a period of five years and will have to sit the extended test before obtaining a license.