Man without licence who caused drivers to swerve to avoid head-on collision is jailed

Kristin Okine admitted driving without a licence or insurance along Killermont View on September 11 this year.

Then, 10 days later, the 24-year-old drove another car without proper paperwork along several roads throughout the area.

The fiscal depute told Glasgow Sheriff Court that police witnesses saw the accused exit from Balmoral Street on to South Street, in Scotstoun, at excessive speed and onto the opposing carriageway at about 6.30pm on September 21.

Oncoming traffic had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Officers on patrol recognised the driver as the accused.

Following Okine to Anniesland Road, police watched as his vehicle came to a stop.

Okine then got out and approached another vehicle to engage in conversation with the driver, and then returned to his own car to carry on along Anniesland Road.

When the officers put their lights and siren on and indicated for Okine to pull over, the accused drove over the central reservation at oncoming traffic.

Again, several vehicles had to take evasive action.

Turning into Crow Road, Okine again drove into oncoming traffic, narrowly missing a head-on collision with several vehicles.

Officers did not immediately follow due to safety reasons, instead calling for back up from other officers.

A different driver and vehicle was stopped later on, and the accused was found trying to hide in the rear footwell of the passenger side.

Okine’s defence solicitor said the man suffers from Asperger syndrome and it was acknowledged in the social work report that the accused’s offending behaviour is in part linked to his condition in respect to his “reckless disregard” and “impulsive nature”.

Sheriff Frances McCartney said that there was “no realistic alternative” to custody and jailed the accused for four months.

Okine, of Colchester Avenue in Maryhill, also had his licence endorsed and was disqualified from driving for two years.