Banned motorist 'only drives drunk'

Williamson claimed he was not a bad driver

A man who claims he only drives when he is drunk has been jailed and had his driving disqualifications increased.

John Williamson has now been banned for life eight times and is subject to a further 79 years in bans.

Mr Williamson, 38, was labelled the country's most dangerous driver after earning his sixth lifelong ban.

In the latest incident he was caught after leading police on a 10-mile chase directly to his own front door in Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

Drug problem

A sheriff urged the government to change the law after he was only able to lock Williamson up for the next two months.

Williamson freely admits he likes driving drunk but claims he is not a bad driver because he has not injured anyone on the road.

He appeared at Perth Sheriff Court to admit his latest offence of defying his previous driving bans.

When he got behind the wheel again in June this year he was instantly recognised by traffic police officers who flagged him down.

I would be very grateful for one last chance. Prison isn't the answer John Williamson

But Williamson ignored the siren and flashing blue lights as he led the marked police car on a 10-mile chase through Perthshire.

Officers managed to keep behind him until he decided to slow down and park - outside his own home in Blairgowrie.

He was arrested and admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance on 22 June.

The drug addict told the court he had taken the car to Kirriemuir to try and sell it for £100 so that he could spend the money on heroin.

'Total menace'

But the deal fell through and he decided to take a chance and drive it back home along the winding A926 road.

Williamson presented a letter to the court pleading not to be jailed - because he believes it does not do him any good.

WILLIAMSON'S DRIVING BANS 1985: five and three years 1986: 10 years 1988: life, 10, five, five, five and one year 1989: five and one year 1990: six, six and six years 1993: life, life and one year 1996: life 2000: life and life 2002: life and life 2003: 10 years

He said: "On the day I was driving the vehicle I was away to sell the motor to get money for heroin.

"I would not have been anywhere near a vehicle but I was very desperate.

"I would be very grateful for one last chance. Prison isn't the answer," Williamson said. "It hasn't worked in the past."

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis noted the maximum penalty for the offence of driving while banned was 12 months and said Williamson had already spent the equivalent of six months on remand.

He said: "It may be that the government of the day should look at the maximum penalty which can be imposed for this offence."

Williamson was dubbed the country's most dangerous motorist after earning his sixth lifelong ban for driving while drunk in 2000.

Williamson was described as "a total menace" with "the worst driving record in Scotland, if not the UK" by police.