Teen driver who failed to stop banned for 16 months

A dangerous teenage driver who sped away from a pursuing police car has been banned from the roads for 16 months and told to carry out 115 hours of unpaid work.

Thomas Day, 17, of Nordavatn, Lerwick, was appearing in the dock for sentence after previously pleaded guilty to driving at grossly excessive speeds of over 100mph.

Day had failed to stop for police – despite the flashing blue lights and wailing sirens of the pursuing patrol car.

Officers had turned around to give chase after they saw him speeding by in the opposite direction. But Day panicked and kept his foot down.

At one point of the late night drive he turned his lights off to avoid being detected.

The uninsured learner driver, who had no experienced driver by his side, turned off the main road leading from East Voe to Burra and crashed into a ditch at Sundibanks after losing control of his car.

Day had been driving in poor conditions brought about by high-wind speeds. He must sit an extended test before he is allowed his licence back.

Sentence was previously deferred for a background report to be prepared.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said that while Day’s driving had left plenty to be desired, the report did at least offer some hope.

“The driving is atrocious but the report is quite good,” he told sheriff Philip Mann.

Mr Allan said before the incident Day had experienced upsetting family circumstances.

“That is behind his stupid decision to take the car that night. It’s unfortunate he reacted in the way that he did.”

Sheriff Mann told Day: “This was an attrocious piece of driving. It is rightly described in the legislation as dangerous driving. It was very dangerous.

“You can count yourself lucky you did not suffer any injuries as a result of the accident that occurred.”

Day must complete his unpaid hours within eight months.