Probation for high-speed chase driver

Published on Tuesday 23 December 2008 09:09

A DRIVER who taunted police by making rude hand gestures during a high-speed chase through Edinburgh has been sentenced to probation.

Gary Ford, who suffers from a psychiatric condition called hypomania, reached speeds of up to 80mph on the streets of Leith, Portobello and Duddingston before the chase ended in the grounds of the Royal Infirmary.

Ford, 42, described as a prisoner in Saughton, pleaded guilty previously in the city's sheriff court to a charge of dangerous driving on August 9 and to a charge of breach of the peace in a field at Damhead, Midlothian, on July 30.

Yesterday, Ford was placed on probation for three years, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to sit and pass the extended driving test before getting his licence back.

Police first noticed Ford's speeding Land Rover in Salamander Street in Leith. As they followed him, he ignored the flashing blue lights and siren and on two occasions made rude gestures with his hand to the officers.

Ford's defence counsel, Drew McKenzie, told Sheriff Kenneth Maciver there was a psychiatric background to the offence.

Sentencing Ford, Sheriff Maciver described it as "a very interesting and concerning case".

"You have been in custody long enough" he said.