Teenage biker banned after undertaking police car

A teenage biker who was caught driving dangerously while undertaking an unmarked police car has been banned from the roads.

Keatyn McAlpine appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court where he admitted driving dangerously in the Hayfield Road area of the town on October 26 last year.

The 18-year-old failed to stop when signalled to do so by officers and sped off through a red traffic light.

The motorcyclist, of Cook Street in Dysart, was identified after investigators checked who owned the offending bike and confirmed his identity using his Facebook profile.

Defence solicitor Branislav Sudjic told the court his client’s actions were due to the “foolishness of youth”.

He said: “He initially did not realise that they were police officers but there’s no excuse for the manner of his driving, which he accepts.”

Sheriff Alison McKay said: “I hope that when you heard the PF describing how you were driving this motor bike, you realised how serious this matter is.

“At the time, you probably thought you were just having fun but in hindsight, I hope you appreciate how dangerous your behaviour on the road was.

“It was dangerous not only to the people in the area but also to yourself because motorbike riders are frequently involved in accidents not necessarily of their making because other drivers simply do not see them.

“Undertaking is a particularly dangerous manoeuvre for that reason.”

Sheriff McKay deferred sentencing for reports including a restriction of liberty order and told McAlpine to reappear on August 14.