Crashed on one-way street

A waiter at a Highland Perthshire hotel drove the wrong way - at speed - up a one-way street and smashed into a car coming in the opposite direction, causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

Perth Sheriff Court was told Dino Brcic had only been in the country 14 months - and it was just the second time he had driven in Scotland.

His lawyer, Billy Somerville, told the court:“He was confused and wasn’t at all familiar with the area.”

The 29-year-old, of Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry, was fined £720 and disqualified for 19 months after pleading guilty to a charge of dangerous driving - and failing to stop after the crash.

He will also have to resit the extended driving test before he can get behind the wheel again.

The accident took place in Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry, at the height of the tourist season - on July 16, 2019.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr said the short link road was subject to a 30mph speed restriction.

It was“clearly marked”with two‘no entry’signs and the same words written in large white letters across the roadway.

Visibility was excellent and there were numerous tourists, pedestrians and vehicles in the area at the time.

About 8.20pm, Michelle Reynolds was driving down the one-way street and was almost at a standstill when a passenger in her car heard another car“approaching at speed.”

The impact of the collision activated the airbags in one of the cars.

The woman’s car was shunted four to five metres along the road and ended at a 45 degree angle.

Police and ambulance were called and a black line could be seenon the road surface, signifying a“loss of traction, indicative of excessive speed”on the part of the accused’s vehicle.

Mr Kerr added:“The accused had left the locus prior to police arriving.”

The fiscal added:“Both vehicles were potential write-offs.”

The accused, who earns £300 a week, will pay the fine at £100 a month.