News / Driving ban and fine for ‘utterly outrageous’ behaviour
A MAN from Lerwick who pursued a woman on the roads while flashing his headlights before shouting and swearing at her outside her home has been disqualified from driving for one year.
(Name removed under the right to be forgotten) was also given a fine of £1,200 when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The 18 year old previously admitted following the woman while she was driving her car and repeatedly flashing his headlights at her on 22 July between the A970 road from Lerwick to Scalloway and Burra.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Bedding deviated from his route to follow the woman.
The teenager claimed he pursued her because he was concerned about the manner of her driving, Mackenzie added, but this had been contested.
Social work reports prepared after (Name removed) pleaded guilty did not address the “fear” created for the complainer, the fiscal added.
Mackenzie said at one point the woman pulled in to let (Name removed) pass, but he did not take up the opportunity.
The court previously heard that the teenager followed the woman until she arrived at her home.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said it had been suggested that his client was someone who let his frustration boil over.
There may have also been an “element of bravado” involved as there were other people in (Name removed) car at the time, he said.
The teenager now realises that his actions were over the top and has made some attempt to apologise, Allan added.
After Sheriff Philip Mann questioned (Name removed) motives, the solicitor said his client did not know the woman.
Allan said (Name removed) life “went off the rails” around the time of the incident and he wasn’t living at a fixed address.
However, he is now in employment and is back living with his family.
Sheriff Mann said the incident must have been “incredibly frightening” for the complainer and (Name removed) should be “ashamed” of his actions.
“I have to say, your behaviour on this occasion was utterly outrageous,” he said.
“To act in this manner…even if the complainer’s driving had caused you some concern, that would in no way excuse this kind of behaviour.”
The sheriff said he decided against sending (Name removed) to jail because he was a young man in employment who had not been sent to custody before.
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