A business owner who was driving at more than 90mph in a 60mph zone claims he was speeding home because he was bursting for the toilet.
Omar Haq, who owns two businesses – one being a car garage and the other an accident management company – was slapped with five penalty points and a £375 fine after driving his Mercedes S-Class at “excessive speed” on July 2 last year on the M77.
A second man, Qasim Mohammed, 29, also admitted he was in a rush home on the same date and drove his car at “excessive speed”, at the same place, and was handed the same sentence yesterday at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Procurator fiscal depute Michael Cunnigham told the court the incident took place around 6.30pm in the evening.
Mr Cunnigham explained: “Police officers were travelling on the M77 when they observed two cars.
“Officers became concerned due to the manner in which the vehicles were being driven at close proximity to each other.
“They also observed both vehicles to be driving at excessive speed at around 92mph.
“Officers observed both vehicles to cut across lane two into lane one at Junction 4 on the M77.
“Due to the manner of how both cars were being driven, officers indicated the vehicles to pull over and they did.
“Both drivers were informed why they were stopped and informed a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.”
Mr Cunnigham confirmed the speed limit where the men were caught has a 60mph limit.
Mohammed’s defence agent Mr Arshaf told the court the procurement worker “highly regrets” the incident.
Mr Arshaf explained Mohammed, of Broomfield Avenue in Newton Mearns, was “fearful” of losing his licence as he drives all over the UK for work.
He said: “He is due his first child with his wife in January next year and a doctor has advised the baby will have a heart condition that will require treatment, quite specific treatment, at three different hospitals with the baby expected to be in a London hospital for approximately four months after birth and so his licence is very important to him.”
Haq’s defence agent, Urfan Dar, explained his client, of Broomvale Drive in Newton Mearns, “accepts the manner of his driving was unacceptable”.
Mr Dar added: “There was a marginal urgency to get home as he really needed to go to the bathroom.
“But he accepts he shouldn’t have driven in this manner and he apologises for that.
“He is 31 years old and has been driving for 11 years and uses his licence for work and to support his family.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Lindsay Kooner said: “This was an excessive speed and police were rightly concerned by the manner of driving.
“Mr Haq, as a business owner who is around cars, you must be aware of the dangers of driving in that manner can cause.”
Sheriff Kooner imposed five penalty points on each driver’s licence.
In addition, both drivers were fined £375 that merited a £20 surcharge. Both men were ordered to pay the total amount of £395 within 28 days.
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