A BANNED driver ploughed his Mercedes car into FOUR parked vehicles on Christmas Day after 'swerving to avoid a deer', Greenock Sheriff Court has heard.

Gordon McLeod, 64, smashed into a Vauxhall Corsa late at night on Manor Crescent, causing significant damage to his own car, then continued driving with the vehicle hopelessly out of control, resulting in the further collisions.

Representing himself in court, McLeod told Sheriff Anthony McGeehan: "I made a massive error."

He initially lost control of his car at a bend in the road shortly before midnight on December 25 last year, resulting in the first crash and a 'loud bang', which alerted an off-duty police officer.

A procurator fiscal depute said: "The collision caused substantial damage to the accused's own vehicle, however, he failed to stop and continued along Manor Crescent.

"The accused continued to fail to control the car as a result of the damage caused by the collision and he proceeded to collide with three more vehicles on the street.

"An off-duty police officer who was at home had heard a loud bang and he thereafter saw the accused's vehicle swerving on the road and colliding with the three vehicles.

"The accused's car came to a stop on Larkfield Road and the witness approached it and informed the accused that he was a serving police officer.

"Police were contacted and officers arrived 00.15hrs [on Boxing Day]."

The fiscal depute added: "Checks revealed that the accused was a disqualified driver and had been disqualified for six months in August 2023.

"The period of disqualification was due to expire in February 2024 and as a result the accused was uninsured to drive the car."

The other parked cars damaged in the crashes were a Nissan Murano, Seat Leon and Hyundai Tucson.

The court heard that McLeod had, in a letter sent to the fiscal's office, pleaded guilty and explained that he had lost control of his car after swerving to avoid a deer.

McLeod told the court: "I made a massive error. Someone phoned me and I couldn't get a taxi.

"I sincerely apologise to the court."

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said: "I have listened carefully to the circumstances of this offence.

"You have described this as a massive mistake, and that is an accurate description.

"Your disqualification was still live and the court takes a very dim view of the flouting of court orders.

"On the other hand, you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and in advance of matters calling in court.

"In all of the circumstances I consider that a financial penalty is appropriate."

McLeod, of Tower Drive in Gourock, has been fined a total of £400 and banned from the roads for a further 12 months.