A banned motorist, who sped through Cowdenbeath being pursued by police, has avoided a prison term.

Serial offender James Bratchie, 31, of High Street, Cowdenbeath, has a history of similar offending.

He appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, having admitted that on December 14, 2020 in Perth Road, Foulford Road and Leuchatsbeath Drive, Cowdenbeath, he drove a car dangerously and at excessive speed in a built-up area.

He failed to stop at a red traffic light, failed to stop for a marked police car with blue lights and siren activated and negotiated a roundabout at speed.

He also admitted driving while disqualified.

The court heard that the case had not been dealt with earlier as Bratchie was the subject of a warrant and had not been arrested until recently.

The incident was captured on the police vehicle’s dashcam.

When he appeared for sentencing Bratchie claimed it was a case of mistaken identity despite having previously admitted his guilt.

This resulted in him being represented by three solicitors in a single day and he was taken to the cells while Sheriff David Hall considered the sentence.

Solicitor Elaine Buist told the court: “That’s his position, that it was someone else.”

Next up was her colleague Peter Robertson who had represented Bratchie when the guilty pleas were submitted. He said he was now withdrawing from acting.

The third solicitor Alan Davie moved to withdraw the guilty pleas but this was rejected.

The court was told the admissions were part of a plea bargain which resulted in another case being dropped and Bratchie had been in custody at the time.

Sheriff Hall finally imposed the sentence, noting that Bratchie had spent a month in custody for the matter.

Bratchie was put on a community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work and a six-month restriction of liberty order.

He was also banned from driving for four years.