A banned motorist with a “lamentable” record of driving while disqualified caught driving on the A84 near Blair Drummond was this week jailed.
Stirling Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the matter was Jason Clark’s eighth driving while disqualified offence.
The 34-year-old, of Bonnybridge, had pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on the A84 near its junction with the safari park on April 10, 2021, and driving without insurance.
His agent Virgil Crawford told Sheriff James MacDonald that a family friend of the accused was supposed to have been driving. However, she decided to drink alcohol and Clark took the wheel. He was not under the influence, Mr Crawford added.
The Crown had previously indicated it was no longer proceeding with a charge of dangerous driving on the A84.
That charge had stated that Clark had driven too closely to motor vehicles and had repeatedly tried to overtake them when it was not safe to do so, causing other drivers to take evasive action - as well as making hand gestures to other drivers, accelerating and braking harshly before colliding with the rear of another vehicle.
Mr Crawford told Sheriff MacDonald that the charge of driving while disqualified “clearly is imprisonable” and Clark was expecting a custodial sentence.
The lawyer however pointed out that Clark was concerned the effect a custodial term would have on his relationship with his child.
A direct alternative to custody - like a community payback order - could be imposed. He said: “He does have a bad record. He’s been realistic with me and the report writer, but I do ask for a non-custodial disposal.”
Sheriff MacDonald however described the driving while disqualified offence as “wilful disobedience”.
He said Clark had been “well aware” what he was doing. This was his eighth conviction for driving for disqualified – for which he had been jailed in the past.
Sheriff MacDonald said Clark had a “lamentable” record for driving offences and there was no alternative to a custodial sentence.
He jailed Clark for 10 months and disqualified him from driving for three years.
Clark was admonished on the charge of driving without insurance and his licence endorsed.
