Car crash student banned

Cummins wrote the car off, the court heard

A student who crashed a BMW he took from a car dealership as part of an initiation into a rugby club has been banned from driving for a year.

Dundee University player Jonathon Cummins led police on a high speed chase before crashing the car.

The 22-year-old, from Bishopstown in County Cork, Ireland, ran away but later reported to a police station.

Sheriff Richard Davidson also sentenced him to 200 hours of community service for the act of "crass stupidity".

He warned Cummins that any further offending would land him in prison.

'Amazing stupidity'

The student had earlier admitted careless driving, driving without insurance, stealing a car key and taking a car without the owner's consent.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard that the garage was seeking £10,500 from its insurers.

On his previous appearance, solicitor Kenneth Ross said that his client regretted the act of "amazing stupidity".

I hope they learn from your experience and make sure that this never happens again Sheriff Richard Davidson

"He was dared to take a car, have his photo taken with it and return it safely," he explained.

The court was told that Cummins visited a car dealership and stole the keys on 22 September.

He then returned on 5 October and stole the car, but was chased by police after being seen driving at 80mph.

Officers lost sight of the speeding car but found it later in Templeton Woods, where it had crashed into a tree.

Sentence was deferred for a report on the total cost of damages arising from the crash.

Mr Ross said on Thursday that his client had not been able to borrow money to pay for the damage.

Initiation ceremony

Sheriff Davidson told Cummins: "I'm prepared to take into account that you are a first offender, come from a decent family and the purpose of you being here is to study at university.

"If there was any truth in the suggestion that people have to go through an initiation ceremony, I hope they learn from your experience and make sure that this never happens again."

He also warned the student that he was likely to be sued by the garage.

A spokesman for Dundee University said it did not condone such behaviour.

The university said it would consider internal disciplinary proceedings based on the outcome of the case.

It plans to contact the procurator fiscal to obtain a report.