A Leicester man currently serving a jail sentence for drug dealing was involved in a high-speed chase through Inverness after police stopped his car because the driver was prohibited from being in Scotland.
Joshua Quartey (25), of East Bond Street, appeared by video link at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted several road traffic offences which were committed on April 5, 2022 while he was on bail to stay out of the country.
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Fiscal depute Karen Poke told Sheriff Gary Aitken: “Police were on routine patrol when they saw the accused driving in Grant Street. They were aware he had been banned from Scotland except for court appearances and a police computer check revealed he was not named on the insurance for the vehicle which was not his.
“He was pulled over but when officers asked him to turn off the engine, he accelerated away and they pursued him. He reached speeds of up to 50mph in Harbour Road, was driving erratically and vehicles had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
“As he approached the Millburn Roundabout he separately collided with three vehicles and came to a stop.”
Defending, Rory Gowans told the court that his client was serving a sentence for supplying drugs and his earliest release date was April 27 this year.
The lawyer added: “He got in too deep and pressure was put on him to do certain things as he had accrued debts. When the police stopped him, he panicked.”
Quartey admitted dangerous driving, without insurance or a licence and a breach of bail.
He was jailed for eight months and banned from driving for four years and four months. He must sit the extended test of competency before the ex-security guard can get his driving licence back.