Banned driver refused bail

A 32 YEAR OLD man facing a string of serious motoring offences, including driving away from a chasing police car, has been remanded in custody.

Peter Henderson, of Kalliness, Weisdale, had spent the weekend in the cells over allegations that he drove dangerously on roads in and around Lerwick on Friday.

The charges include driving away from police officers and failing to stop for emergency lights and sirens.

Henderson is also accused of driving on the wrong side of the road, repeatedly mounting pavements and driving into a crash barrier.

He is suspected of driving while disqualified and without any insurance.

After crashing the car he was driving, Henderson allegedly hid in “hillside vegetation” from police officers who he knew had been pursuing him.

Henderson is further accused of failing to give information to police, and of being in possession of heroin.

He made no plea when he appeared in Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday morning. The case was continued until 12th December.

Honorary sheriff Eric Peterson refused an application for bail after procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie advised that Henderson “poses a considerable risk to the public”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Henderson was about to start a new job on a fishing boat. His client was feared that being kept behind bars would mean he missed out on that opportunity.

Henderson also helped out on his elderly grandmother’s croft and was worried that no-one else would be available to help her.

But sheriff Peterson accepted MacKenzie’s warning that Henderson posed a “real and substantial risk of injury to a member of the public” and remanded him.