149mph PC convicted over M-way accident

Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 00:00

A TRAFFIC officer who cashed into another vehicle after travelling at speeds of nearly 150mph on his way to a diesel spill has been found guilty of careless driving.

PC Jacob Marshall, of Central Scotland Police, clipped a Vauxhall Zafira driven by Fraser Lenny, 49, which had pulled out to allow other traffic to merge on to the M9 from a slip road.

Mr Lenny said: “I looked in my mirror before I pulled out, then looked again as I pulled out.

“I just saw blue flashing lights at the last minute, then a bang, and my mirror was off. I was shaking like a leaf.”

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard Marshall had been driving to deal with the spill on the M80.The court saw a video of his car reaching speeds of 149mph on the way there.

Sheriff William Gallacher said he could not understand why the experienced officer had not slowed down “even a bit” as he approached the busy junction.

He said the high speed was an important factor in convicting Marshall, 31, of careless driving, but not the sole factor. He had originally faced a charge of dangerous driving but was convicted of the lesser offence after a two-day trial. Sentence was deferred for two weeks.

Sheriff Gallacher said: “When other traffic was emerging, Mr Marshall did drive below the standard of a careful and considerate driver.”