Police chase driver who hit 116mph on Black Isle learns fate from scathing sheriff
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Police pursued a silver Seat Ibiza for over 25 miles after clocking it at 116mph on the Black Isle.
But the driver, 25-year-old Jake Macdonald of Murray Terrace, Smithton, managed to evade capture as he sped along country roads at up to 80mph and through 20mph and 30 mph zones at speeds of up to 55mph.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Macdonald also accelerated harshly on country roads up to 80mph as the unmarked police BMW with blue lights flashing struggled to keep up on the night of August 21, 2020.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told Sheriff Sara Matheson that Macdonald passed through Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge where he punctured a tyre on a speed calming measure with pedestrians nearby.
He continued on to Dingwall and then doubled back again before abandoning his car in Belladrum Estate and running away from police.
'Due to the appalling nature of the driving, I wrote one word on my notes - 'jail'. The only thing dissuading me from that course is your strong record of employment and your stable relationship.You will never come closer to going to jail as you did today.' - Sheriff Sara Matheson
"But he left his driving licence in his car," Ms Duffy-Welsh told the court.
Defence solicitor David Patterson said: "He accepts his conduct was completely unacceptable and he offers no excuses. At that time, he was not in the right frame of mind but has now distanced himself from negative influences and illicit substances.
"He is also in a stable relationship and in employment," Mr Patterson added.
Sheriff Sara Matheson ordered Macdonald, who admitted dangerous driving, to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for 43 months. He has to sit the extended driving test of competency before he gets his licence back.
She told him: "Due to the appalling nature of the driving, I wrote one word on my notes - 'jail'. The only thing dissuading me from that course is your strong record of employment and your stable relationship.
"You will never come closer to going to jail as you did today," the sheriff added.
