Teen biker admits speeds of up to 150mph on Highland roads during police chase
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A teenager who secretly bought a motor cycle against his mother's wishes drove at speeds of up to 150mph to avoid detection – by the police.
Ethan Schiller, now aged 20, who now suffers from an eyesight disorder preventing him from driving, asked his girlfriend to purchase the Yamaha for him but not to tell his mother who disapproved of motorcycles.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the bike was registered in his girlfriend's name and she gave him permission to drive it on September 3, 2022 but he didn't insure it.
Fiscal depute Karen Poke told Sheriff David Mackie: "Police attended at Garve and saw the motorcycle ahead of them. A PNC (police national computer) check revealed that it had no insurance and was registered to a woman.
"They activated their blue lights but he accelerated past vehicles up ahead and the police lost sight of it. They alerted colleagues up ahead and he was seen driving at between 90mph-100mph.
"He travelled to Maryburgh roundabout and was seen overtaking traffic heading for Conon Bridge."
Ms Poke said that police managed to trace him by visiting his partner's address and although she was initially uncooperative, her father intervened and she gave officers Schiller's mobile number.
"He agreed to meet them at a shop in Assynt Road, Kinmylies, Inverness, was arrested and interviewed. He admitted driving at speed, telling officers: 'maybe at 140-150mph. I don't know because I was concentrating on the road. The bottom line is I should not have taken the bike,'" Ms Poke went on.
Defence solicitor Graham Mann told the sheriff that his client, who admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop for police plus no insurance: "It was a foolish set of decisions.
"He allowed a bad situation to snowball into something more serious. But it is unlikely he will ever be able to drive again, because of a medical situation he has with his eyesight.
"His licence was revoked and he is now unable to meet the necessary test for licensing. The cycle has been sold."
Sheriff Mackie fined Schiller, of Brudes Hill, Inverness a total of £1125 and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.
"I take into account that you have been completely open and candid with police and indicated that you may have been going at faster speeds and you will benefit from that," he said.
The sheriff said he would normally have deferred sentence for a background report to explore alternative sentences including jail.
He added: "This was a series of bad decisions that landed you in this position."
The sheriff warned Schiller that he should not be tempted to drive again if he is able to do so until he passes the extended test of competency.
