Court / ‘Red mist’ descended on driver who later tripped over running away from police

A “CLASSIC case of the red mist descending” upon a driver after a botched overtake manoeuvre has landed a man with fines totalling more than £1,700.

Peter Lovie, of Mossbank, also “fell flat on his face on the pavement” after later trying to run away from police officers in Lerwick.

The 29-year-old admitted four charges when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.

He pleaded guilty to driving a van carelessly in the Tingwall area on 4 May. He carried out an overtake manoeuvre which forced the vehicle being overtaken to brake excessively to allow him to return to the carriageway.

The charge stated that he thereafter drove in close proximity to the preceding vehicle.

Lovie admitted then behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the drivers of two vehicles involved in the overtaking manoeuvre by gesticulating and making threats, shouting and swearing and spitting on one of the vehicles.

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The other charges related to running away from police officers at the Lerwick station on 12 May and failing to give details of the identity of the driver of the van in question.

The court heard that the incident began at around 4.30pm, with Lovie attempting to overtake two vehicles before realising it was not safe to do so, pulling back into the carriageway in between the cars.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the drivers of these two vehicles were concerned at the manner of the accused’s driving.

“He did not react kindly to that and was gesticulating at those vehicles, making rude gestures with his fingers, punching his fist in the palm of his hands,” he said.

The two drivers and Lovie later met in Scalloway, with the accused at one point spitting on one of their vehicles.

The police got in touch on 12 May and Lovie eventually attended Lerwick Police Station, the court heard.

Mackenzie said, however, that Lovie declined to go inside the station – and then tried to run away.

“He didn’t get very far,” the fiscal said. “He effectively tripped over his feet after ten or so steps and fell flat on his face on the pavement”

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had since accepted that his behaviour following the driving incident was not appropriate.

He added that Lovie felt it was safe to overtake at the time. But Allan said his client wanted to apologise to the court for the time taken to deal with the case.

The solicitor described Lovie’s attempt to flee police officers as “half-hearted and ill-fated” and said there was “no obstruction of justice”.

Allan also said a driving licence was vital for his client’s work.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said: “I don’t quite understand what must have been going through your head to act in the way that you did.”

He gave Lovie fines totalling £1,720 and five penalty points.