TWO men have been banned from driving after taking part in a “drag race” on the M8 motorway.

Undercover police spotted Jordan Marsh, 39, and Scott Hastings, 22, speeding between Ibrox and Paisley on July 18, 2020.

They were both charged with driving dangerously, racing each other and driving at excessive speeds, including in excess of 120mph in a 70mph zone.

Marsh, from Paisley, claimed he had been in a rush to get home from work as his child had become ill.

His lawyer told Glasgow Sheriff Court: “It was the beginning of the pandemic. He panicked and he was driving home. He accepts full responsibility.

"If he was put on a Restriction of Liberty Order, his employment would be terminated.”

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Hastings, from Stenhousemuir, said he has since “disposed” of his car.

She added: “He will not be back in court again. He accepts what he did was a terrible mistake and a very bad misjudgement.”

Both men had been found guilty of dangerous driving at an earlier hearing and, when they returned to court to learn their fate, Sheriff Bernard Ablett described their actions as "appalling."

He disqualified them from driving for 18 months and ordered them to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

Sheriff Ablett told them: “From the evidence I heard, you were both engaged in a spontaneous race on the M8 motorway. However, two police officers, unknown to you, were travelling behind you in an unmarked vehicle, using speed monitors to track your speed.

“You were driving at no less than 110mph before accelerating to 120mph. There was no more than the length of a car between you as you were travelling.

"You then drove side by side at 120mph in what was described by officers as a drag race.

“You drove in that manner for a limited period of time. I will take that short duration into account.”