Drink driver fled from police at 90mph, court hears

A drink driver who drove at up to 90mph to avoid police was banned from driving with immediate effect when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Martin Fraser, 37, of Aesha, Levenwick, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and at excessive speed on the A970 between Gulberwick and Channerwick, to being unfit to drive due to drink or drugs and to failing to supply a blood specimen, all on 19th May.

The charge stated he was veering badly back and forth across the carriageway, hitting the roadside barrier and drifting onto the verge.

He failed to stop for police who drove with blue lights, sirens and flashing headlights for a distance of 10 miles.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said it was “an impressive array of illumination” as it was dark at the time. When Fraser did eventually stop police noticed a strong smell of alcohol. He was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred. He failed a roadside test and was taken to the police station.

Sheriff Philip Mann said it was a “very serious incidence of dangerous driving”, even though it was a first offence, and deferred sentence for six weeks for reports.