A learner driver who made a run for it after police witnessed him crash his car has been banned from the roads.
Coatbridge’s Liam Grace, 19, drove at “excessive speed” on August 16 in Sharp Avenue.
The provisional license holder, who lives on the same street, motored into a hedge after mounting a pavement.
At Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, the procurator fiscal said: “At around 11am, police noticed the accused in a vehicle.
“They turned around and saw him make off at speed into Sharp Avenue.
“He mounted a pavement and crashed into the hedge of a property. He ran off and was pursued for a short distance before being apprehended and taken to Coatbridge police office.”
Grace’s defence solicitor said: “He accepts full responsibility for this and has made no attempt to minimise his actions.
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“He’s in employment and earns around £250 per week. He’s currently subject to a community payback order given in May, which included supervision for 12 months and 75 hours of unpaid work.
“He’s done 40 hours of this so far. He knows he’ll be disqualified from driving and can also pay a fine.
“The report suggests a restriction of liberty but I’m not sure if you’re minded further towards a fine and further unpaid work?”
Sheriff David Young told Grace: “I regard this as serious.
“You’d only had a provisional license and drove in this way. If your plea wasn’t a guilty one, I’d have disqualified you for 24 months; but instead that will be 16.
“You’ll also do 173 hours of unpaid work in the next nine months.”
