Minimum cut in sentence for chase driver

Paul Whytock was jailed in April for leaving the women terrified after offering them a lift to a party in his Audi TT and quickly becoming embroiled in a high-speed chase with police.

Sheriff Mhairi Stephen refused to offer a discount on the sentence despite the 28-year-old's guilty plea, citing public protection and the inevitability of his admission. But lawyers for Whytock launched an appeal, arguing that he was legally entitled to a reduction after pleading guilty.

Appeal court judges agreed that the sheriff "fell into error" by not including a reduction, but struck off just one month of his sentence.

In a written decision, Lord Bonomy said: "We consider that in this particular case the absolute minimum discount appropriate is all that can be considered. The driving was a particularly appalling example and he has been guilty of such over a period of year. He has no respect for road traffic laws."

Whytock met the women in the Capital and offered them a lift. The trio were unaware that he had a history of being involved in police pursuits.

As police tried to pull him over, Whytock told the screaming women: "I can outrun them." He then ran red lights as he tried to escape police.

At one stage he drove the wrong way on to the city bypass and during the incident on February 27, reached speeds of up to 120mph.

Neil Greig, director of policy at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "There could not be a more black and white example of appalling driving.

"I'm pleased that the appeal court has reduced his sentence by the minimum time possible. It's clearly a case when a prison sentence was deserved."

Whytock pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen of blood, and driving without insurance.

He was also banned from driving for 20 years.