News / Provisional licence holder ‘chanced his luck’
A TEENAGER with a provisional licence who “chanced his luck” by driving his new car on his own before crashing it has been fined £665.
Stewart Walterson, of Eynhallow, Walls was also given eight penalty points at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The 18 year old admitted driving without a qualified driver on the A971 at Tresta opposite the Breckenlea junction on 7 October, and also with no insurance, before failing to report a collision with a roadside barrier.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Walterson had just bought the car ahead of sitting his test, but in his “jubilence of youth” he decided to take it out on the road by himself on a Saturday afternoon.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client, who didn’t have anyone to drive with, was scared to tell his parents and other people about the crash.
He added that Walterson’s employment prospects as an apprentice at the nearby Walls Bakery were in question after the sudden death of the company owner.
This meant that if he ended up having to work elsewhere in Shetland he might have trouble travelling without a licence, Allan said.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank decided against disqualifying Walterson from holding or obtaining a licence and instead gave fines and points.
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