A MECHANIC who was being followed by cops drove double the speed limit in a built-up area before going through a red traffic light.

Alexandru-Daniel Pecingina, 32, was driving his Audi A8 at 2.20am on September 4, 2020, when cops spotted him in Dennistoun.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, the prosecutor said: “Officers noticed the vehicle emerging from Todd Street, turning left onto Cumbernauld Road.

“The vehicle was drawn to police attention due to the speed it turned at. Police observed that the vehicle had failed to slow down sufficiently to carry out reasonable checks at the junction.

“Police followed the vehicle which continued at excessive speed, passing several junctions. The vehicle was travelling at around 60mph in 30mph limits.

“The vehicle drove through a red light but slowed down on approach before accelerating back to 60mph.”

Cops then asked the driver of the Audi to pull over, which he did.

Pecingina exited the car and was cautioned and charged and advised he would be reported, before being allowed to continue on his journey. He appeared in court charged with driving without due care and attention and at excessive speeds and driving through a red traffic signal.

His lawyer revealed that his client has since been disqualified from driving for another matter.

The defence solicitor said: “He’s in employment and works as a mechanic. There were only two vehicles on the road at the time, him and the police. No other vehicles were being placed in any danger.

“He did slow down and check at the red light then drove through. That may be the procedure in Romania, but I’m not sure. He could pay a financial penalty.”

Sheriff Mark McGuire said: “I consider this to be at the upper end of the scale as he was driving at double the limit. I’m not currently minded dealing with this by disqualification but a fine and points.

“He’s already disqualified until September which would be longer than the period I would impose.”

Pecingina, of Dennistoun, was ordered to pay a £395 fine and had seven points placed on his licence for three years.

The sheriff added: “Hopefully this will bring home to you that this offending is not to be tolerated.”