Year-long ban for driver who caused three-car crash on A9 at Dunbeath

A driver who caused a three-vehicle accident by risking an overtaking manoeuvre that went wrong has been fined £400 and banned for a year.

Offshore worker Liam Sutherland admitted a charge of dangerous driving which put a 67-year-old crash victim off work with injuries requiring physiotherapy and which had partly influenced his decision to take early retirement.

Sheriff Andrew Berry heard that Sutherland (24) was travelling south on the A9 on November 2, last year. The accident occurred at the Rockhead Junction, at Dunbeath.

Fiscal David Barclay told Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that while it was a reasonably straight stretch of road, there was a solid white line on the road, making it "clearly an inappropriate place" to overtake.

He continued: "It seems that the accused, who was travelling behind a lorry, had failed to take proper notice of the fact that this was not an appropriate time in which to carry out an overtaking manoeuvre and had jumped the gun."

Northbound Robert Fulton (67) attempted to take evasive action when confronted by the accused's car, which collided with Mr Fulton's vehicle and also caught the lorry's tailgate.

Mr Barclay said that Sutherland stopped immediately and told police who arrived on the crash scene: "I am sorry... it is my fault. I am completely in the wrong... I went for the overtake thinking it was clear and it was not."

Mr Fulton was taken to Caithness General Hospital complaining of pains in his neck and shoulder area.

The fiscal said that Mr Fulton was off work for a time and continued: "I am advised he has muscle spasms in his lower back and right shoulder area and has been undergoing physiotherapy and traction. He has taken early retirement but that is only due in part to the consequences of the accident.

"Matters affecting his injuries are being properly dealt with through his insurance."

Mr Barclay added that Mr Fulton lived south of Caithness and appreciated the fact that Sutherland had pleaded guilty and saved him a lengthy journey north to give evidence in a trial.

Solicitor Josey Donachie said that her client, a first offender, understood the seriousness of his actions and anticipated he would be disqualified.

Sheriff Berry said the accident and its ongoing consequences for Mr Fulton, and the lorry driver, Gary James, would have been "an unpleasant experience to say the least".

The sheriff said he had to take into account that Sutherland, of Robertson Crescent, Keiss, had accepted liability from the start, which was to his credit.

The accused was a first offender and was someone of previous good character.

In addition to the fine and ban, Sutherland will require to sit and pass an extended driving test in order to return to the road.