Driver Clocked @ 130mph On North Road Banned
Esdert Prins was banned from driving for a year after being caught going more than twice the national speed limit yesterday.
A 'flying Dutchman' was caught by police on a remote Highland road driving at more than twice the national speed limit for a single carriageway road.
Esdert Prins, a 39 year old director of a security firm, from Ameide in the Netherlands, was behind the wheel of a friend's black Porsche 911 when a police patrol saw the car on the A832 at Achanalt, near Achnasheen in Ross-shire on Sunday.
He and his pal, who was a passenger in the vehicle and lives in Banchory, had gone on a road trip to the West Highlands.
On the straight stretch of road leading to the railway station, Prins put the foot down and was clocked by the police laser at 130mph.
Prins appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted dangerous driving.
His not guilty plea to driving with no MOT was accepted.
He was fined £500 and banned from driving for a year.
Fiscal depute Fraser Matheson told the court: "It was about 12.55pm on April 12 and police were on mobile patrol in the area.
"They saw a vehicle travelling east and it was obvious that it was travelling in excess of the speed limit.
"The pro-laser recorded it at 130mph. They followed the black Porsche 911 and activated their blue lights.
"It was noted by the police that the Porsche slowed dramatically after that and pulled in to a nearby lay-by.
"The hazards of that road at that location as outlined in the charge were explained to him and he was charged."
Prins, who appeared personally and was represented by solicitor Willie Young, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously on the A832 passing hazards such as various junctions, lay-bys and sharp bends while road conditions were damp.
Mr Matheson added: "The rain showers had stopped and the flow of traffic was light."
Mr Young told Sheriff Margaret Neilson: "My client is on holiday visiting a friend from university and the two were on a road trip to the West Highlands.
"He had taken the role of driver of his friend's car and was on a straight stretch of road when he was detected by police.
"He expresses his apologies for driving at an excessive speed.
"He does not have a UK driving licence, only a Dutch one but has been driving for 21 years without incident or conviction and is scheduled to fly back to Holland on Tuesday."