Ex-police officer admits high-speed drunk drive

COURT: Simon Reader was more than seven times the legal limit

A former police officer who also worked in CID yesterday admitted he had drunk heavily prior to driving dangerously for around 30 miles on three of Scotland’s arterial roads.

Perth Sheriff Court heard how Simon Reader, 45, of Bishop Auckland, had an “exemplary career” with Grampian Police but reached the “nadir” of his life through a combination of work pressure and marriage problems.

A screening alcohol test taken after the incident gave a reading of 157 mics – more than seven times the legal limit of 22.

The court heard Reader ‘undertook’ and cut in front of several cars on the Kingsway, Dundee, and drove at speed on the A90, with some motorists suggesting he was driving at speeds of 100mph and 80mph.

Solicitor George Donnelly, defending, said his client was “so distraught” following the incident, which took place on the Kingsway, Dundee, the A90 Dundee to Perth road and the M90 Perth to Inverkeithing motorway, he spoke to the Police Federation and handed in his resignation.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown described how Reader was seen “weaving” between lanes on the Kingsway around 1.20pm and cut in front of two vehicles, forcing them both to brake sharply.

Mr Brown told the court Reader then passed several vehicles on the A90 Dundee to Perth road, with one motorist estimating he was speeding at around 100mph near Inchture.

“Some motorists saw the accused increase his speed to around 80mph and then decrease it to 40 – he was weaving about and braking harshly,” he said.

“Other cars had to take evasive action with one motorist stating he saw Reader drive past him in the inside lane at an approximate speed of 100mph.”

Mr Brown said Reader eventually lost control of his car, with it mounting a central reservation on the M90.

Mr Donnelly told the court Reader met police chiefs in Aberdeen the evening before the incident, where he was told he would be dismissed due to ill health.

Reader yesterday admitted driving dangerously and at excessive speed on the roads in question on January 22, by failing to keep his car under proper control at a roundabout, mounting a kerb, undertaking vehicles at excessive speed, increasing and decreasing his speed inappropriately, undertaking vehicles on the inside lane, swerving, crossing lanes and narrowly missing vehicles, causing other cars to take evasive action to avoid a collision and thereafter losing control of his car by mounting a kerb and colliding with a central reservation.

He also admitted failing to provide two breath specimens for analysis at police headquarters in Perth.

Reader was given a tagging order whereby he remains in his house from 7pm-7am every day for six months and was also banned from driving for three years, after which he must sit the extended driving test.