Police had to abandon dangerous car chase

Police had to abandon a high-speed chase of a l.6 Audi A3 on safety grounds after it turned onto an unclassified single lane road and mounted the verge several times as it was driven“significantly in excess of the limit.”

Officers also saw 18-year-old Liam Thornber negotiate a number of blind corners and formed the view he would have been“unable to stop”if he had been confronted by any oncoming traffic.

The pursuit ended shortly afterwards, however, when the teen pulled into a forestry entrance and switched on his hazard warning lights.

The dangerous driving episode led to the accused being banned for 12 months and fined a total of £700 when he pled guilty to a catalogue of motoring charges at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

He will also have to re-sit the extended test before he can drive again.

Thornber, of Glebe Road, Comrie, said he had been“a stupid idiot”and offered to pay the fines at £100 a month after starting a new job with his brother as a groundworker.

He admitted driving dangerously on the A822 Muthill-Crieff road and the unclassified road between Balloch and Comrie on July 23, 2020.

He was a provisional licence holder, had no qualified driver with him and was not displaying‘L’plates.

He repeatedly lost control of his vehicle, mounting roadside verges, as he attempted to evade police.

He also pled guilty to failing to stop for a uniformed officer - and being in possession of cannabis.

In a separate incident on August 16, 2020, he drove without insurance and while still a provisional licence holder on the A822, between Greenloaning and Crieff.

Depute fiscal Sean Maher said police on patrol spotted the dark blue Audi about 9.30pm as it signalled to turn right onto the A822.

“On seeing the police vehicle, however, the signal was cancelled and thereafter he turned right and made off at speed.

“Officers activated their lights and siren and pursued the car.”

It then made a“sharp and sudden turn” onto the unclassified road.

“It was driving significantly in excess of the speed limit and in such a manner that in negotiating a number of corners, it partially left the carriageway and mounted the verge on a number of occasions.”

Authority was initially given to continue the pursuit but that was rescinded and the blue flashing lights and siren were deactivated.

Thornber was breathalysed but that proved negative.

Officers detected a smell of cannabis, however, and a bag containing greenish, herbal material was found on the central console of the car.

Tests showed it contained a gramme of the class B drug.

The second incident took place about 6pm on August 16 when a Honda Civic Sport was spotted on the A822.

The accused, who represented himself, told the court:“I’m really trying to sort myself out - I really am.”

Imposing the ban and financial penalties, Sheriff Neil Bowie told him: “Dangerous driving is a serious matter.

“You potentially put other road users at risk.”