A CROSSHILL man has said he "simply panicked" when he sped off from police officers who signalled for him to stop his vehicle.

Jamie-Lee Mclaren drove at excessive speeds before abandoning his vehicle on farm land in Lochgelly.

He was also convicted of stealing money from two garages by forcibly opening the pressure washers there.

Mclaren, 23, of Inchgall Avenue, previously admitted that on September 7, 2017 on a road between Main Street, Crosshill and Easter Cartmore Farm, Lochgelly, he did drive a motor car dangerously and did repeatedly accelerate harshly, drive at excessive speeds, fail to stop for police officers when signalled to do so, overtake other vehicles at excessive speeds and abandon the vehicle.

Also, on January 13, 2017 at Gleaner Gas Centre, Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, whilst acting with another, did force open a lockfast pressure washer and steal a quantity of money.

And, on January 17 at Asda Superstore, Carberry Road, Kirkcaldy, whilst acting with another, did force open a lockfast pressure washer and did steal a quality of money.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday at around 10.15am on September 7, officers had stopped Mclaren in his vehicle on Main Street, Crosshill, but he accelerated off.

Police activated their blue light, but he sped away driving between 30 to 40mph in a 20mph zone from Crosshill towards Lochgelly.

When there was a change in the speed limit to 30mph he accelerated to speeds of 50mph, driving on the opposing carriageway to overtake other vehicles. He eventually abandoned his vehicle on farm land.

A total of £139 was taken at Asda in Kirkcaldy when Mclaren broke into the pressure washer there and it wasn't known how much cash he had taken at the Cowdenbeath garage, but he estimated that he stolen around £20 when he admitted the offences to police in interview.

Defence solicitor, Ian Beatson, described the period of the offences as a "low point" in Mclaren's life.

He said his client had issues with his benefits and housing and that he was also caring for his young daughter.

"He realises he should have taken other steps to get funds," he said.

"He simply panicked when he saw the police vehicle."

Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a compensation order of £139, 200 hours of unpaid work and 12 months of supervision.