Motorcyclist who travelled at 127mph on rural road jailed for three months

Jailed: Stephen Reid was caught travelling at nearly double the speed limit.STV

A motorcyclist has been jailed after travelling at nearly 130mph on a rural road in Aberdeenshire.

Stephen Reid, 44, admitted speeding on the B9077 South Deeside Road at 127mph. The speed limit on the road is 60mph.

Reid, of Duncan Road, Tarland, was close to Nether Balfour at the time of the offence on April 27 last year.

Reid was originally banned from the roads for two years and ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work as punishment but after refusing to carry out the punishment Sheriff Val Johnstone revoked the order and told him he would serve three months and 14 days in jail.

The procurator fiscal depute told Stonehaven Sheriff Court on Wednesday that Reid had been spotted by police at around 7am.

"Police were carrying out speed checks and saw the accused’s vehicle overtaking several cars.

"Weather conditions were dry but cold and the road surface was worn but in reasonable condition. Traffic was light to moderate with some commuter traffic.”

Reid’s defence agent said he was travelling to work at the time of the offence but had lost his job since losing his license.

She added that Reid was not willing to carry out the remained of his unpaid hours as a “matter of principle”. She told the court her client did not feel the work he had been given to undertake was of any benefit to the community, but no details of the tasks were given in court.

Sheriff Johnstone said: “In relation to the offence which was committed in April 2011 the maximum prison sentence is 12 months in prison.

“I do consider that a sentence of imprisonment is appropriate.”

She sentenced Reid to three months in prison for the speeding offence before adding 14 days for a “wilful breach” of his original punishment.

Road safety manager at Grampian Police, Leslie Harrold, said: "It's absolutely crazy to be travelling at more than double the speed limit on a public road - it's just madness.

"The majority of motorcyclists are normal sensible riders and it’s the small minority that do these silly acts. We’re encouraging bikers to ride within legal speed limits and safely.

"If they had been travelling at 60mph it would take them 73 metres to stop and if you’re doing double that the stopping distances would be at least doubled."

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