AN ARREST warrant has been issued for a driver who allegedly tore through two Inverclyde towns at excessive speed in a powerful Porsche Carrera sports car.

Prosecutors say that William Michael Cannon drove dangerously and repeatedly overtook vehicles unsafely, forcing other road users into ‘evasive action’ to avoid crashing into him.

Fifty-four-year-old Cannon is accused of the high speed run along a two-mile stretch of the A770 between Grey Place, Greenock, and Gourock’s Cardwell Road.

A court case against the accused driver — whose black Porsche has the personalised registration plate ‘911 MC’ — had previously been continued for him to appear in person.

But Cannon, of Bearsden, who pled not guilty by letter on 11 September, failed to turn up before Sheriff Craig Turnbull.

Fiscal depute David Simpson said: “There was no appearance in October and he has not appeared again. In the circumstances I move for a warrant to apprehend.” Cannon is alleged to have committed the dangerous driving offence within the urban area, which has a 30mph speed limit, on 21 June.

He is further charged with not having a valid MOT certificate for the Porsche.

Sheriff Turnbull granted the arrest warrant.