Driver was eight times drink limit

Police tracked down the driver of a car after receiving a tipoff that it was being driven dangerously and heading towards Perth.

After viewing CCTV, 28-year-old Ewan Roy was found in the Auld Hoose pub in South Street.

He failed the breathalyser and tests showed he had been behind the wheel with almost eight times the legal booze limit.

It also emerged he was a disqualified driver - and had no insurance.

The motoring offences led to him being jailed for fiveand-a-half months and put off the road for eight years at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

A woman in the public gallery sobbed as the accused, of The Cross, High Street, Crieff, was led down to the cells.

He admitted that on April 2, 2019, he drove the Kia Sportage Estate while banned and without cover.

He also drove with 165 microgrammes of alcohol on his breath - the legal limit is 22.

Not guilty pleas were accepted to other charges of stealing car keys - and the vehicle - from a house in Ancaster Way, Muthill, the same day.

Depute fiscal Tina Dickie told the court: “About 6.45pm, police received an anonymous report of a motor vehicle being driven in a dangerous manner on the A85 Crieff to Perth road, heading in the direction of Perth. Police were despatched but couldn’t find it.”

A short time later, however, it was seen “speeding” down the city’s South Street and Roy was recognised as the driver.

Shortly afterwards the car was seen parked and unattended in South Street - and the accused was traced in the city centre bar.

Solicitor Paul Ralph said the break-up of a relationship had led to the accused drinking heavily - and the loss of his employment.

“He understands he’s got to break that cycle,” added the lawyer.

Testimonials were submitted on behalf of the accused, who undertook voluntary work, and Mr Ralph urged the sheriff to refrain from imposing a jail term.

Noting it was the accused’s second drink/ driving conviction, again with a “very high reading,” Sheriff Gillian Wade said: “I don’t consider there’s any alternative to custody in this case.”