Police chase ends in court

Police pursued a van at speeds of up to 70mph along a series of country roads in atrocious driving conditions in the early hours.

Officers thought they had caught up with Isaac McPhee when he drove through a“large area of standing water,”causing an engine malfunction, and it came to a halt.

They pulled in behind him but he managed to restart the van and smashed into their car as he slammed the van into reverse and took off again.

But his top speed was limited to just 20mph and the chase ended when he drove into a farm steading.

McPhee then ran off but was subsequently apprehended.

He was spared a prison sentence when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and instead was told to complete a“high end” Community Payback Order. He will have to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and will be supervised by a social worker for 18 months. He was also disqualified for 27 months and will have to pass the extended test again.

He admitted driving dangerously - and at excessive speed - on a series of Perthshire roads on August 15 last year.

They included the A924 Kirkmichael-Bridge of Cally, the A93 bridge of Cally-Rattray and the A926 Rattray-Alyth roads.

He also had no insurance and, being a provisional licence holder, had no qualified driver with him and wasn’t displaying‘L’plates.