A PRESTONPANS man who crashed his vehicle into a taxi after speeding along an Edinburgh street in the early hours of the morning has been banned from driving for nearly two years.

Michael McNeish was seen “driving erratically” and “at speed” as he and a friend made their way along the city’s North Junction Street following a night out.

Shocked witnesses saw McNeish pull off several “dangerous manoeuvres”, including performing handbrake turns in the road.

He then drove towards a set of traffic lights at the junction with Ferry Road, where he drove through the red light and “crashed into a taxi” while travelling at speed.

The 26-year-old, of Preston Crescent, then lost control of his own car and smashed into a pedestrian crossing, damaging a barrier.

The force of the impact was so severe that an alloy wheel was ripped from McNeish’s vehicle and he eventually came to an abrupt halt when he crashed into a parked car.

McNeish subsequently refused to give the taxi driver his details and was arrested and charged after police were called to the scene.

READ MORE: Man drove through red lights before crashing into taxi and barrier

McNeish pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving and a second offence of failing to provide his details following an accident during a court appearance last month.

When he returned for sentencing, Sheriff Julius Komorowski issued McNeish with a 22-month road ban and said he must sit the extended test before he is allowed back on the road.

McNeish was also placed on a community payback order where he will have to complete the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work as punishment.