Wick offshore worker ‘learned his lesson’ after failing to report crash

A Wick man who failed to stop and give his details after an accident has been banned from driving for four months and fined £500.

Offshore worker Mark Mackay (34) pleaded guilty at Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Sheriff Neil Wilson heard that Mackay lost control of his car on an unnamed road at Thurso East Mains, near the A836, on May 3. The vehicle collided with a fence and a metal gate causing £2000 of damage and ended up in a field.

Fiscal Grant McLennan said that a Facebook message posted in an attempt to identify the driver was successful and police subsequently spoke to Mackay, who confirmed he had been at the wheel.

Solicitor Sylvia Maclennan said Mackay, of Barbara Place, Wick, had taken a corner too fast and lost control of his vehicle.

She said he was “old enough to know better” and should have accepted responsibility “straight away” and “come clean” adding: “He has certainly learned his lesson.”

Sheriff Wilson said he regarded it as “a deliberate attempt” by Mackay to avoid the consequences of his actions and he was fortunate not to face a careless driving charge.