Man due in court on driving charges ‘let down by bus service’

A Monifieth man who was “let down by public transport” had a warrant for his arrest recalled after he turned up late at Forfar Sheriff Court yesterday.

Alan Fraser, 34, of Grange Place, was due to appear before Sheriff Gregor Murray on charges of driving dangerously on the A930 Monifieth to Carnoustie road near the junction with Dalhousie Street on September 21 2017.

Initially, defence agent Sarah Russo told the court: “I have not seen him this morning and there has been no explanation for his absence.”

Sheriff Murray issued a warrant for his arrest. However, Fraser turned up shortly after and his case was re-called.

Ms Russo said: “He has been let down by public transport.

“He needed to get two buses, one from Monifieth to Dundee and then from Dundee to Forfar.

“There was a delay and that is why he was late.”

Fraser pled not guilty to the charge of dangerous driving by overtaking a car before applying the brakes sharply, causing the other driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

He also denied driving his car in an erratic manner by repeatedly accelerating and decelerating in an unsafe manner.

Sheriff Murray recalled the warrant he had issued earlier and Fraser was requested to attend court on May 22 for an intermediate diet.

Also at Forfar:

A trial date of May 29 was fixed for William Mcphee, 19, of the Travellers Camp, Tealing.

Mcphee appeared on an intermediate diet and pled not guilty to giving a false name and address to police officers on September 17 2017 at Omachie Place, Wellbank, and not guilty to having an axe on the same date and at the same location.

He admitted driving on various roads in Wellbank without insurance, and pled guilty to driving as a holder of a provisional licence, being unaccompanied by a qualified driver and not displaying ‘L’ plates, all on the same date.