German policeman caused car crash

The court heard Matthias Meer was upset about the crash

A German policeman who caused a crash by driving on the wrong side of the road while on holiday in Scotland has been fined £600.

Matthias Meer, 33, was on his way to visit Balmoral when he hit motorcyclist Joseph Monks on the A93.

At Perth Sheriff Court, he admitted driving carelessly and had four penalty points imposed on any UK licence he ever holds.

The accident on the Blairgowrie to Braemar road happened on 16 July.

Head-on smash

The court heard that Meer, from Meppen, forgot he was on holiday and should have been driving on the left hand side of the road.

He pulled out at a junction and travelled onto the wrong side.

Seconds after making the mistake he turned a bend and smashed head-on into Mr Monks, whose kneecap, leg and foot were broken on impact.

Solicitor Alison McKay, defending, said Meer was very upset about the crash.

She said: "He simply moved into driving automatically and just forgot he was in Scotland, and not in Germany.

"He realised it was his mistake, it was him who was on the wrong side of the road."