THE ELGIN MOTORIST caught driving at 117mph on the B9040 between Lossiemouth and Hopeman has narrowly escaped a jail sentence.
John Adamson, 22 and from New Elgin, reappeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday (Thursday) for sentencing having earlier entered a guilty plea to the offence of dangerous driving.
Fiscal Alex Swain reminded the court that the road had become renowned for people exceeding the speed limits – and there had been serious road traffic collisions in the area.
She added: “Police saw the Audi S3 being driven by the accused well in excess of the speed limit. The speed recorded was 117mph – the limit is 60mph. Police immediately followed with blue lights and had to accelerate hard to catch up with him.”
They eventually did so when Adamson was forced to slow down behind a line of traffic approaching Hopeman.
Speaking in his defence, solicitor Stephen Carty said that his client had been surprised when told just how fast he had been travelling, adding that he accepted the consequences could have been disastrous and he apologised for his actions.
Sheriff Chris Dickson told Adamson that his speed had been “appalling” on a B-class road and sentenced him to a driving ban of 16 months. He was also ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work.