Driver with lifetime ban sent to jail

ONE OF Scotland’s worst drivers was jailed and given his second lifetime driving ban after admitting he “couldn’t help” his dangerous behaviour.

Darren Ross, 32, of Ogilvie Street, Dundee, was already on a lifetime driving ban when he got behind the wheel of a friend’s powerful Subaru Impreza and sped through city streets.

Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday heard traffic police pursued Ross at speeds well over the 30mph speed limit, past shops, schools, post offices, and sheltered housing schemes for the elderly.

The serial driving offender has almost 100 previous convictions, 39 of which are for road traffic offences.

Depute fiscal Keith Robertson told the court police had received an anonymous tip that Ross was driving the vehicle on June 5.

He said: “Police followed the accused who was seen to fail to give way at a marked road junction at Arklay Street and he continued to drive at speed up Sandeman Street passing Tannadice Stadium on the left.

“The speed of the vehicle was seen to increase markedly in what is described as an urban built-up area with a 30mph speed limit.

“Later the driving is described as being completely inappropriate for a built-up area in parts of which there were parked cars located at the side of the road and narrowing roadways.

“The accused was seen to fail to stop at the junction with Provost Road and at that point the accused’s vehicle was lost to view.”

Other police officers were contacted and the vehicle was traced at 2.25pm, although Ross had run off.

A search involving a dog handler proved unsuccessful, as did police attempts to trace the registered keeper of the car.

Police inquiries continued until Ross was finally traced three days later and arrested.

At a previous court appearance Ross admitted driving dangerously and at excessive speeds in a built-up area and failing to give way at junctions.

He also admitted driving while disqualified.

Defence solicitor Anne Johnston told the court Ross was “fascinated with all things vehicular” and couldn’t resist getting behind the wheel.

He said: “The vehicle was a Subaru Impreza which was his friend’s car.

“He states, ‘I couldn’t help myself; I wanted to see what the vehicle drove like and I took a chance.’

“Mr Ross has previous (convictions) for driving while disqualified.

“He understands he will never be able to drive without police involvement.

“As soon as Mr Ross gets in a vehicle the police are on him like a ton of bricks.”

Sentencing Ross to a nine-month prison term and handing him his second lifetime driving ban, Sheriff Elizabeth Munro said: “You are 32 now. “You are not a silly teenager. “You well know you are already disqualified for life.

“You can’t want to live like this surely?

“I just feel very sorry for your partner. She can’t see very much of you the way things are going.”

Darren Ross was jailed for nine months after driving while banned.