Man, 76, escapes ban after driving at almost 100mph

An elderly man caught driving at grossly excessive speeds escaped a driving ban when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Robert Mitchell, 76, of Queeness Road in Vidlin, drove at speeds approaching 100mph on A970 at Tingwall last November.

Sentence had been deferred for Mitchell to sit a pass plus driving test to prove he was fully capable of driving.

Yesterday defence agent Tommy Allan said Mitchell, a widower whose family live across the isles, had since proved to be “as good as anyone else” when behind the wheel.

He urged Honorary Sheriff Malcolm Bell not to disqualify Mitchell, to allow him to keep in contact with his children. He was fined £300 and had six penalty points imposed on his licence.