A recent high-stakes police chase through the heart of Perthshire saw local roads transformed into a scene of extreme danger, as a young joyrider, Scott Shearer, led officers on a terrifying pursuit. The incident, which unfolded across more than 200 miles and included speeds of up to 115mph, culminated in a dramatic apprehension near Perth, drawing a stark line under the severe consequences of such reckless behaviour.
The saga began in the tranquil early hours of March 27, far to the north in Wick, where Shearer executed a audacious double car theft. The unsuspecting homeowner was disturbed by noises but, mistaking the intruder for her pet cat, returned to sleep, unaware that her Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar were being stolen. The keys for the luxury vehicles had been left accessible: the Jaguar’s on the kitchen table, the Mercedes-Benz’s on a shelf near the front door. This brazen act set the stage for an extensive and perilous journey south, directly into the serene landscapes of Perthshire.
Hours later, as the morning light broke over the region, law enforcement received intelligence that the stolen Mercedes-Benz was making its way down the vital A9 corridor. Police units swiftly mobilised, strategically positioning themselves along the major trunk road. Near Fonab, officers attempted to implement a ‘rolling roadblock,’ a controlled manoeuvre designed to gradually reduce traffic speed to around 20mph, thereby safely intercepting the runaway vehicle. However, Shearer demonstrated a profound disregard for authority and public safety. Instead of yielding, he veered onto the verge, accelerating sharply and colliding with a police vehicle in his desperate bid to escape.
The pursuit escalated rapidly, with the stolen Mercedes-Benz careening down the A9, straddling both lanes, at an astonishing 115mph. The danger was further compounded as Shearer entered a single carriageway section, maintaining these terrifying speeds. When the dual carriageway resumed, the situation became even more critical: Shearer recklessly swerved into the northbound lane, driving directly into the path of oncoming traffic at approximately 90mph. This outrageous act forced numerous innocent motorists to take immediate, drastic evasive action to avoid potentially catastrophic head-on collisions, transforming their morning commute into a desperate fight for survival.
The chase continued, weaving through the rural heart of Perthshire. Shearer drove the wrong way down the B867 sliproad, plunging into the village of Bankfoot, before navigating onto an unclassified farm road. His perilous route then took him through the quiet residential streets of Luncarty, all the while relentlessly pursued by dedicated police units. The pursuit eventually led back to the A9, close to the busy Inveralmond Roundabout on the outskirts of Perth. Here, the police were finally able to deploy a stinger device across the roadway, bringing the stolen vehicle to a grinding halt and puncturing its tyres. An officer was forced to smash the car’s side window to extract Shearer from the driver’s seat, bringing an end to the eight-hour ordeal. Shearer, along with his 24-year-old passenger, was promptly arrested at the scene.
In the aftermath of the harrowing incident, Scott Shearer appeared before Perth Sheriff Court, facing a litany of serious charges. He admitted to the theft of both cars from the Wick property and to dangerous driving, along with operating the vehicle without insurance, on the A9 between Pitlochry and Perth. His defence agent, Ian Brechany, acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting Shearer’s “atrocious” criminal record and a history of having “gone off the rails at an early age.” The court heard that Shearer had been released early from a previous 16-month sentence just weeks prior to these events, on March 4. Brechany highlighted his client’s limited recollection of driving the Jaguar, attributing it to substances consumed at a party, and stated Shearer’s intention was merely to drive his passenger back to Falkirk.
Sheriff George Way presided over the case, taking into full consideration the extreme risks Shearer’s actions posed to the public on one of Scotland’s busiest roads. Recognising the gravity of the offences and Shearer’s extensive criminal history, Sheriff Way handed down an 18-month custodial sentence. Additionally, Shearer was prohibited from driving for a period of two years, a measure reflecting the court’s commitment to protecting road users in Perth and Kinross from such flagrant disregard for the law and human life. This sentence serves as a stern reminder of the serious repercussions awaiting those who endanger the community through reckless and criminal acts on our roads.
The saga began in the tranquil early hours of March 27, far to the north in Wick, where Shearer executed a audacious double car theft. The unsuspecting homeowner was disturbed by noises but, mistaking the intruder for her pet cat, returned to sleep, unaware that her Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar were being stolen. The keys for the luxury vehicles had been left accessible: the Jaguar’s on the kitchen table, the Mercedes-Benz’s on a shelf near the front door. This brazen act set the stage for an extensive and perilous journey south, directly into the serene landscapes of Perthshire.
Hours later, as the morning light broke over the region, law enforcement received intelligence that the stolen Mercedes-Benz was making its way down the vital A9 corridor. Police units swiftly mobilised, strategically positioning themselves along the major trunk road. Near Fonab, officers attempted to implement a ‘rolling roadblock,’ a controlled manoeuvre designed to gradually reduce traffic speed to around 20mph, thereby safely intercepting the runaway vehicle. However, Shearer demonstrated a profound disregard for authority and public safety. Instead of yielding, he veered onto the verge, accelerating sharply and colliding with a police vehicle in his desperate bid to escape.
The pursuit escalated rapidly, with the stolen Mercedes-Benz careening down the A9, straddling both lanes, at an astonishing 115mph. The danger was further compounded as Shearer entered a single carriageway section, maintaining these terrifying speeds. When the dual carriageway resumed, the situation became even more critical: Shearer recklessly swerved into the northbound lane, driving directly into the path of oncoming traffic at approximately 90mph. This outrageous act forced numerous innocent motorists to take immediate, drastic evasive action to avoid potentially catastrophic head-on collisions, transforming their morning commute into a desperate fight for survival.
The chase continued, weaving through the rural heart of Perthshire. Shearer drove the wrong way down the B867 sliproad, plunging into the village of Bankfoot, before navigating onto an unclassified farm road. His perilous route then took him through the quiet residential streets of Luncarty, all the while relentlessly pursued by dedicated police units. The pursuit eventually led back to the A9, close to the busy Inveralmond Roundabout on the outskirts of Perth. Here, the police were finally able to deploy a stinger device across the roadway, bringing the stolen vehicle to a grinding halt and puncturing its tyres. An officer was forced to smash the car’s side window to extract Shearer from the driver’s seat, bringing an end to the eight-hour ordeal. Shearer, along with his 24-year-old passenger, was promptly arrested at the scene.
In the aftermath of the harrowing incident, Scott Shearer appeared before Perth Sheriff Court, facing a litany of serious charges. He admitted to the theft of both cars from the Wick property and to dangerous driving, along with operating the vehicle without insurance, on the A9 between Pitlochry and Perth. His defence agent, Ian Brechany, acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting Shearer’s “atrocious” criminal record and a history of having “gone off the rails at an early age.” The court heard that Shearer had been released early from a previous 16-month sentence just weeks prior to these events, on March 4. Brechany highlighted his client’s limited recollection of driving the Jaguar, attributing it to substances consumed at a party, and stated Shearer’s intention was merely to drive his passenger back to Falkirk.
Sheriff George Way presided over the case, taking into full consideration the extreme risks Shearer’s actions posed to the public on one of Scotland’s busiest roads. Recognising the gravity of the offences and Shearer’s extensive criminal history, Sheriff Way handed down an 18-month custodial sentence. Additionally, Shearer was prohibited from driving for a period of two years, a measure reflecting the court’s commitment to protecting road users in Perth and Kinross from such flagrant disregard for the law and human life. This sentence serves as a stern reminder of the serious repercussions awaiting those who endanger the community through reckless and criminal acts on our roads.