Mechanic admits dangerous driving following police chase through Galashiels
Last updated 5th Jan 2026
A mechanic sparked a police chase through Galashiels after “accelerating quickly” away from traffic lights and then failing to stop, a court's been told.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard officers in a marked police car, in the Wilderhaugh area, activated their blue lights - intending only to warn Kian Haig about his speed, in the early hours of July 6th last year.
But the 22-year-old failed to comply and continued to accelerate away in a red Volvo, along Island Street.
Rhuairidh Allison, prosecuting, said police reached speeds of 70mph in a 20mph zone trying to catch up with Haig, and had to abandon their pursuit.
A street-to-street search followed but failed to find him. He was later traced at another address - eight miles away - around 10pm that day.
Haig’s solicitor said his client had been in town to pick up his girlfriend from a nightclub around 3am that morning, and "panicked" - but now apologises for his behaviour.
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Haig, who gave an address in Jedburgh, pled guilty to a single charge of dangerous driving, by driving at excessive speed and failing to stop for police.
The court heard he already had six points on his licence from two previous speeding offences.
Sheriff Peter Paterson fined him £500 and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.
Haig has also been ordered to resit his driving test and pay a £20 victim surcharge.
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