Man drove son at more than 100mph
A SHETLAND father who drove his young son at more than 100mph in bad weather to catch a ferry was banned from driving for more than a year at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
Iain Charlton, of 8 Tripwell, Brough, Whalsay, admitted driving along Shetland’s main A970 road on 15 September at grossly excessive speeds in strong winds and heavy rain with standing water with his son in the passenger seat.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that police had seen the 35 year old’s car speeding along the “Tingwall straight”, and at one point clocked 117mph without getting any closer to him.
When they did manage to stop him, he told them he was late trying to catch a ferry to Whalsay after leaving the Lerwick cinema later than expected.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said Charlton realised his driving was unacceptable, but questioned the severity of the conditions, saying that his wipers were on intermittent and there was no other traffic on the road.
But Sheriff Philip Mann said such driving was “unbelievable” and that he had taken a considerable risk with his young son.
“Things could so easily have gone wrong. Fortunately they didn’t, but I think it’s more a matter of good fortune than by design,” the sheriff said.
He banned Charlton for 16 months, which was reduced from two years due to his early plea, but he will have to sit an extended driving test before he can get his licence back. He also fined him £500.
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