Police chase after car reported stolen

A mechanic was pursued by police in a car bearing a“For Sale”sign after it was reported stolen from Perth’s Dunkeld Road.

Officers thought they had cornered 29-year-old Michael Davies after he stopped for petrol at a garage near Dunblane.

They drove their vehicle in front of his but he managed to reverse and speed off, followed by officers who had activated their blue flashing light.

He turned onto a nearby service road and pulled up in the grounds of a farm before exiting the vehicle and running off.

But he was later apprehended around 12.30am, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

Davies, of Ardoch Street, Glasgow, paid the penalty when he was disqualified for 21 months and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

He will also be supervised by a social worker for 18 months after he admitted resetting the vehicle in Dunkeld Road on June 17 last year. He had originally been charged with stealing the car. He also drove while banned and without insurance - and failed to stop when requested by two uniformed police officers.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the vehicle was reported stolen by a member of the public about 10.45pm and police were alerted.

It was later spotted at Balhaldie Filling Station but he accelerated away before abandoning the car nearby.

“There was a‘for sale’sign on it - and it had a smashed window,”he explained.

Solicitor Paul Ralph said the accused had given an explanation for the incident which was contained in a background report.

Sheriff Wade said the offences could have attracted a custodial sentence but given the accused’s“lack of recent record”she imposed the Community Payback Order as a direct alternative.