Highland joiner fined and banned from driving after crashes

A Black Isle self-employed joiner crashed twice while driving to visit a friend, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

Ian Hubbard (43), of Balblair, first went off the B9163 at Culbokie then continued on his way and crashed into the Mineral Bridge stonework on the A862 near Dingwall.

Fiscal depute Emily Hood said Hubbard failed to give information to police then attempted to pervert justice by claiming to police that his car had been stolen. However, a DNA check was used to prove this to be false.

Hubbard admitted careless driving by failing to negotiate a junction and mounting the verge and striking signs, then failing to take a bend and striking the bridge.

He also admitted failing to give information to the police and attempting to pervert justice.

Edward Targowski KC, appearing for Hubbard, said: "He was going to visit a friend and there was an animal on the road which he swerved to avoid and crashed. He decided to continue and crashed again before continuing to his friend's."

Mr Targowski said if Hubbard was banned from driving he would lose his employment, as would his two apprentices.

Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald noted there were a "significant number" of similar offences on his record therefore on the careless driving fined him £720 and banned him for five months.

Fines of £270 and £450 were also imposed for failing to give police information and attempting to pervert justice.