'I'm an idiot': Banned Bonnybridge driver apologises to police for motoring madness
A banned driver with a “terrible” record of driving offences admitted to police he had been an “idiot” for getting behind the wheel once again.
Mark McLuckie, 39, was said to the be “under pressure” at the time due to concerns over his mother’s health. When police caught up to him he apologised to them for his stupid actions.
Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, McLuckie had pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance at Denny Service Station, Glasgow Road, Lochpark Place, Denny on July 31 last year.
Bernadette Cuthbertson, procurator fiscal depute, said: “Police attended at the premises to review the CCTV footage and saw the accused leave the car parked at the petrol pump, exit the driver’s side to go inside and then saw him drive away from the premises.
"Police found he was banned from driving and when he was traced he told them ‘I’m an idiot – I apologise’.”
Defence solicitor Lynn Swan said: “His reply to police is probably the best description of his behaviour. He was feeling under pressure due to his mother’s health difficulties.
"He doesn’t have the best of records in regards to traffic matters.”
Addressing McLuckie, Sheriff Maryam Labaki said: “You have a terrible schedule of previous convictions, but you have made progress in recent times.”
She placed McLuckie, 90 Ure Crescent, Bonnybidge, on a community payback order with the condition he completes 240 hours of unpaid work within two years. He was also banned from driving for four years.