A motorist drove dangerously through Fife with four young children in the back of his car, as the police pursued him.

The youngsters were aged 3, 5, 7 and 9 and there were no child seats.

Connor Irvine was eventually brought to a halt after police used a stinger device on his tyres,

Irvine, 27, formerly of Cardenden, now of Lawson Street, Kirkcaldy, managed to avoid a jail sentence when he appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

This was despite him also admitting a drugs offence when he was caught in possession of cannabis with an estimated value of £3,200.

He admitted offending on January 9 last year at Strathmore Road, Thornton, the B922, the B981 between Cluny and Lochgelly, various roads in Cardenden and Auchterderran Road, Lochgelly.

He drove a car dangerously, at excess speeds, failed to stop when indicated to do so by police, crossed solid white lines and drove on opposing carriageways.

He overtook other vehicles when it was unsafe to do so and failed to stop for a red traffic light, all whilst four young children were in the back with no child seats.

He did not have a driving licence and drove without insurance.

Irvine also admitted that on February 7 2021 at Lumphinnans Road, Lochgelly, he was in possession of cannabis.

Depute fiscal Christine Allan said police had received a tip-off about a vehicle and were following it.

The vehicle was signalled to stop but instead Irvine sped off, hitting 85mph in a 60mph zone.

He went through a red light and continued to evade the pursuing police until a stinger was deployed by other officers at Lochgelly.

Defence solicitor Brian Black said his client had described his own actions as “stupid” and “idiotic”.

Sheriff Krista Johnston told Irvine: “You’re teetering on the brink of going to jail for this appalling driving.”

Instead, she imposed a structured deferred sentence until  January 13 and warned him all options remain open.

A temporary driving ban is in place and Irvine was fined £300 for the drugs offence.