A MAN has been slapped with five penalty points for almost causing a collision with a police vehicle.

Mathew Brannagan, of Kinnoull Road Kilmarnock, appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court on Wednesday, where he admitted to driving carelessly on the A77 near to Whitletts roundabout on December 3.

The court heard how the 36-year-old carried out an overtaking manoeuvre when it was unsafe to do so, causing a police officer to take “evasive action” to avoid a collision.

Depute Fiscal, Jason Bell, explained: “At around 9pm, police witnesses were travelling north bound on the A77 and noted a vehicle coming south bound through the Whitletts roundabout, where the two lanes merge into one.

“They noted the vehicle coming to over take towards the police vehicle, which had to pull over to avoid a collision.

“The accused accepted what he had done.”

Speaking on his behalf, defence solicitor Euan Robertson, explained that Brannagan was employed as a removal driver and that his licence was “essential for his employment”.

Sheriff Leslie issued Brannagan to pay a £250 fine and added five penalty points to his licence.