147MPH DASH TO BUY CIGS FOR PAL; Danger driver banned.

Byline: By Alistair Munro

A BUSINESSMAN raced his powerful Mercedes at 147mph - to get tobacco for friends at a music festival.

John McAllister, 42, had been at the Rock Ness concert on the shores of Loch Ness when his friends ran out of tobacco, a court heard.

He decided to drive to a cash and carry in Glasgow but on his return trip, he was caught doing more than double the 70mph limit on a blackspot stretch of the A9 just south of Inverness.

McAllister, of Alloa, who runs a horticultural firm, admitted dangerous driving when he appeared before Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday. He was fined pounds 800 and banned for two years.

Craig Wood, defending, said his client, who admitted a series of previous convictions, including drug offences, fraud, forgery and traffic offences, ran a specialised business.

He said the father-of-two had bought the Mercedes in 2005 when his company was doing well but added: "At the moment, his business is not doing so well and his income is between pounds 10-15,000 a year.

"He also has an imminent divorce and his wife will be looking for a share of the business."

Sheriff Ian Abercrombie told McAllister: This is a very excessive speed indeed. You are very fortunate no incident happened as a result."

McAllister offered to pay at pounds 25 a week but the sheriff said it was too little and ordered him to pay at pounds 50 a week.

Inspector John Smith, head of Northern Constabulary's traffic section, said: "The pounds 800 fine and two-year driving ban imposed on John MacAllister for driving at 147mph reflects the reckless nature of his driving and the danger in which he put other motorists."

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FESTIVAL: Rock Ness