Speeding drivers fined

Two “boy racers” were fined when they appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday, with one losing his licence.

Apprentice mechanic Alan Williamson, 20, from Vallafield, Tingwall pleaded guilty to driving a car without due care and attention and without consideration for other people using the road, and driving excessively close to another vehicle, leaving insufficient braking room.

His 20-year-old friend, council joiner Scott Polson, also of Vallafield, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, overtaking when inappropriate and entering a 30 mph zone at 70 mph.

The offences happened at Veensgarth on 7th September.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said police parked at Blackhill just before midnight noticed two cars heading north out of Lerwick at speed and followed them.

There appeared to be three cars in convoy, but the first driver was concerned at how close the two cars were and turned off the A970 at Veensgarth to avoid them.

However, the two speeders followed because they lived in Vallafield, which appeared “sinister” to the concerned driver.

The court then heard that Polson overtook the car, but Williamson stayed behind but admitted he was too close.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said the case would impact on Williamson’s employment – Williamson also pleaded guilty to a separate case of driving without insurance.

Defence solicitor Gregor Kelly said Polson had “abused the privilege of holding a driving licence, and was ashamed of being a boy racer”. He said Polson’s ambition was to hold an HGV licence, and aspired to be an advanced driver.

Sheriff Philip Mann the boy racer behaviour was at the high end of road traffic offences. However, he said he would not disqualify Polson, but slapped him with nine penalty points and a £600 fine.

The sheriff also imposed nine penalty points on Williamson for careless driving, but as Williamson already had three penalty points, this led to a mandatory disqualification of six months. He was also fined £450 for the offence.

Sheriff Mann said his driving had been “extremely dangerous” because he had no control over what the other car would do, and if he was too close there was no reaction time.

For driving without insurance on 1st February at the Toll Clock he was fined £200 and had another six penalty points put on his licence.