Elgin man rode motorcycle past Dr Gray's Hospital while going 80mph during 'moment of madness'
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A 21-year-old man who was travelling at speeds in excess of 80mph in Elgin has been banned from the roads for 12 months.
Matthew Bowie, of Burnside Place New Elgin, was pursued by police on the night of July 4 last year.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the incident occurred at around 8.15pm when police noticed a group of four motorcyclists on Hay Street.
Officers watched as one member of the group, later identified as Bowie, broke off and fled the scene at more than 70mph within a 30mph zone.
Bowie subsequently lost control at a roundabout within the town causing both wheels of his motorcycle to lift off the ground.
He then continued westwards before passing Dr Gray's Hospital at a speed of more than 80mph.
Officers, who were in pursuit, lost Bowie as he headed towards Alves where he is said to have reached speeds of 100mph.
However, Bowie was traced to his home the following day thanks to dash-cam footage at which point he identified himself as the driver.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty told the court that Bowie had not been part of the initial group of motorcyclists but that he had panicked once police arrived.
He said: "He did not want to be stopped and he panicked so he took off. He concedes that it was a moment of madness and he accepts the danger that he could have caused not only to himself but also to others on the road as well.
"He has had time to reflect and he accepts that it was a foolish decision. A significant lesson has been learned."
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov disqualified Bowie from driving for a period of 12 months and ordered him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within six months.
He was also fined £160 on a separate charge for growing three cannabis plants in his home which he claimed were for personal use.
