Speeder escapes ban

Accused's "stupidity" costs him £300 fine and six penalty points

A THURSO plumber who reached speeds of 85 mph while overtaking a vehicle, escaped a driving ban yesterday.
Greg Macleod, 26, of 24 John Kennedy Drive, Thurso, incurred six points and a fine of £300 when he admitted a charge of careless driving at Wick Sheriff Court. The offence was described by his solicitor, Fiona MacDonald, as "stupidity".
It occurred, on September 11, last year, on a stretch of the A836 Wick-Thurso road, at Murkle where a 50-mile limit is in force.
Sheriff Andrew Berry commented that it was a long stretch of the road which attracted speeding but added that, unlike road conditions, drivers had control over the speed they were travelling at.