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Striker's '120mph nightclub bid' | Striker's '120mph nightclub bid' |
(20 minutes later) | |
A footballer accused of a high speed car chase with police told officers he was going to a nightclub after a text from his girlfriend, a court has heard. | A footballer accused of a high speed car chase with police told officers he was going to a nightclub after a text from his girlfriend, a court has heard. |
Aberdeen striker Lee Miller allegedly drove dangerously at up to 120mph in a 70mph zone on the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road on 30 March last year. | |
It is also alleged the 26-year-old drove at up to 90mph in a 40mph zone. | It is also alleged the 26-year-old drove at up to 90mph in a 40mph zone. |
Mr Miller, of Perth, denies the charge of dangerous driving and is standing trial at Stonehaven Sheriff Court. | |
Grampian Pc Alistair MacLeod told the court: "We saw a car travelling south. It was quite clear it was travelling in excess of the 70mph limit. | Grampian Pc Alistair MacLeod told the court: "We saw a car travelling south. It was quite clear it was travelling in excess of the 70mph limit. |
"When you do this job as a traffic officer, you get a fair indication of how fast cars are going. | "When you do this job as a traffic officer, you get a fair indication of how fast cars are going. |
"However, on this particular night the car was just going so fast. It was grossly over the speed limit." | "However, on this particular night the car was just going so fast. It was grossly over the speed limit." |
I was concerned something was going to go horribly wrong Pc Alistair MacLeodGrampian Police | I was concerned something was going to go horribly wrong Pc Alistair MacLeodGrampian Police |
The road traffic officer said they became aware of Mr Miller's car while parked in a patrol car. | The road traffic officer said they became aware of Mr Miller's car while parked in a patrol car. |
He said they went in pursuit of the vehicle at 125mph. | He said they went in pursuit of the vehicle at 125mph. |
Pc MacLeod told the court: "I remember at that point I turned to my colleague and said: 'This guy has escaped. We're not going to get him.' | Pc MacLeod told the court: "I remember at that point I turned to my colleague and said: 'This guy has escaped. We're not going to get him.' |
"I was concerned something was going to go horribly wrong. It just needs a puddle in the road. | "I was concerned something was going to go horribly wrong. It just needs a puddle in the road. |
"If someone is going to crash a car at that speed the very minimum that could happen is serious injury." | "If someone is going to crash a car at that speed the very minimum that could happen is serious injury." |
'Terrible state' | 'Terrible state' |
The officer said Mr Miller braked for two cameras on the dual carriageway and they did not flash. | The officer said Mr Miller braked for two cameras on the dual carriageway and they did not flash. |
He said the speedometer in the police car showed an average speed of 90mph though the contraflow system set up for roadworks. | He said the speedometer in the police car showed an average speed of 90mph though the contraflow system set up for roadworks. |
The police officer told the court Mr Miller pulled over in a layby as soon as they activated their flashing lights. | The police officer told the court Mr Miller pulled over in a layby as soon as they activated their flashing lights. |
He said: "I explained to him that should you look in your mirror and there's a car following at speed then there's the distinct possibility it's a police car." | He said: "I explained to him that should you look in your mirror and there's a car following at speed then there's the distinct possibility it's a police car." |
Asked if the footballer gave any explanation for his driving, he replied: "He had some text from his girlfriend, some nightclub he wanted to go back to. | Asked if the footballer gave any explanation for his driving, he replied: "He had some text from his girlfriend, some nightclub he wanted to go back to. |
"I distinctly remember he was pretty upset with a couple of tears. I pointed out to him the fact that if you're going to travel at that sort of speed there's a risk of being caught. | "I distinctly remember he was pretty upset with a couple of tears. I pointed out to him the fact that if you're going to travel at that sort of speed there's a risk of being caught. |
"I was trying to calm him down, he was in a terrible state." | "I was trying to calm him down, he was in a terrible state." |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |