9 x life + 109 years ban

The UK's worst driver was being bars last night after being banned from the roads for nine lifetimes plus 109 years.

John Williamson, 40, was locked up for 14 months yesterday after he admitted defying eight previous life bans for drinking and driving.

In 2000, Williamson was branded the worst driver "in Scotland, if not the UK", after earning his sixth life ban.

At the time, he claimed he only got behind the wheel when he was drunk.

He also claimed he had never caused an accident - shortly before smashing into a police car.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Williamson was banned for life for the ninth time after he admitted driving while disqualified and with no insurance.

He was banned for another 10 years when he admitted failing to give a breath sample to police - bringing his running total to 109 years on top of the life bans.

After being arrested in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, in January, Williamson spat on civilian police worker Stephen Ritchie.

Fiscal depute Anne Hart told the court: "The police got information that he was driving under the influence. They saw the accused driving very slowly. He was seen to pull into a parking area. They recognised the accused as a disqualified driver. The vehicle was stationary and he was locked within it.Access to the driver was gained and he was informed he was under arrest. There was a strong smell of alcohol from him."

Solicitor Steve Lafferty, defending, said: "It is fair to say he has a shocking record in relation to traffic offences. He accepts he drove his father's car. He accepts he ought not to have entered the vehicle. He has a somewhat slender recollection of matters."

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Williamson: "You have an appalling record."

Williamson was last jailed in 2004 after WPC Melanie Norrie had to leap to safety as he drunkenly crashed into her car.

Even then he refused to stop and led officers on a two-mile chase through the centre of Blairgowrie.