A CONVICTED killer who was chased and stopped by the police after they clocked him driving at 126mph has been banned from the road.
Bernard Flanagan, of Roswell, Midlothian, was racing to collect parts for a motorbike-repair business which he had been given public money to set up after being freed from prison.
Flanagan – who killed a man while out celebrating his 18th birthday
– was given grants by the Prince's Trust and Business Gateway after he was released.
A court heard today how Flanagan, 21, used the cash to set up a motorbike-repair business and employed two other people.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that he got frustrated waiting for a part to arrive and borrowed a friend's powerful Mercedes 240 to collect it himself.
He was initially clocked by a police speed patrol on the M90 between Inverkeithing and Perth at 126mph on October 7 last year.
Fiscal depute Vicki Bell said: "This is a motorway with a 70mph speed limit. The time of this incident was 1.15pm.
"Police were carrying out a speed check when they saw a gold-coloured Mercedes which appeared to be exceeding the speed limit.
"They pursued and stopped the vehicle which was driven by Flanagan. He was shown the speed on the display and made no comment."
Flanagan was charged with dangerous driving or speeding at 126mph, but had a guilty plea accepted to a reduced speed of 116mph yesterday.
After his arrest he told the police: "I wasn't doing anything close to 126mph. I would like to have seen the calibration certificate."
The Crown told the court that they were unable to produce the calibration certificate to validate the accurate reading of the radar speed gun.
Solicitor Graham Walker, defending, said: "His previous conviction is for a particularly serious offence. He appeared at the High Court for culpable homicide.
"At the end of that sentence he was provided with a great deal of assistance. That enabled him to set up his own business.
"He has had the benefit of a Prince's Trust award and Business Gateway grants to enable him to set up business as a motorcycle mechanic.
"Clearly he will be disqualified, but I urge the court to consider the effect this will have on his business. He has been in business one year and employs two people.
"He was in the process of repairing a motorbike and was awaiting parts to be delivered. The spare parts were not forthcoming and he decided to go and collect the items.
"He borrowed a friend's car which was much more powerful than he was used to. On the stretch of road concerned he did accelerate, perhaps seduced by the power.
"He accepts it was an error of judgement on his part and it is a serious matter. He is a young man with serious and significant responsibilities."
Flanagan, of Carnethie Street, Roswell, admitted speeding at 116mph and was banned from driving for six months and fined £500.
In 2004, Flanagan was jailed for three years after he admitted killing welder Christopher O'Donnell, 23, with a single punch.
The teenager, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, later bragged that he had "hit someone a beauty" after a row in Dalkeith.
Advocate depute Bernard Ablett told the High Court in Edinburgh: "Flanagan ran forward and punched him on the head with his clenched right fist.
"At that, Mr O'Donnell fell backwards, striking his head against the pavement with what has been described as a loud thud."
