Drugged up driver mounted the kerb

A drugged-up Perth man, followed for several miles on the Dundee-Perth road, was seen driving erratically, mounting the kerb several times and veering between lanes before speeding up and then slowing down.

And when the police were contacted and traced 37-year-old Thomas Humphreys, he was“initially oblivious” to their blue flashing lights and siren, Perth Sheriff Court heard this week.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told him:“This was an extremely reckless and dangerous course of conduct you pursued by driving in the state you were in.

“You placed members of the public who were on that road at risk.”

The sheriff said he would be “completely justified”in jailing him.

But after hearing he was taking steps to address his alcohol and drug problems, he imposed a high-end community payback order as a“direct alternative”to custody.

Humphreys, of Florence Place, was banned for 32 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work over the next year.

He will also be supervised for 18 months after he admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs on the A90 Dundee-Perth road, and the M90 Perth-Edinburgh road, between Perth and Balmanno Hill, on January 12, 2021.

Depute fiscal Sarah Wilkinson said police received a call from a concerned member of the public about 10.40pm that night.

The accused’s car had been followed towards Perth and it was seen“weaving between lanes.”

A generator it was towing almost overturned on one occasion after it hit the kerb.

Officers traced the accused about 11pm.

“The vehicle was seen being driven onto the hard shoulder and then pulling across onto lane two before returning to the hard shoulder,”she said.

Officers activated their blue light and sirens but Humphreys was initially oblivious before he came to a stop on the hard shoulder after half a mile.

The accused appeared“confused”at the presence of police, stated Ms Wilkinson.

“When asked to get out, he was very slow with his movements and his speech was slurred.”

Solicitor Jamie Baxter said:“He’s acutely aware his actions were wholly irresponsible.”

He had taken“substances”that evening and had no intention of driving but had received a call from a colleague who had left his cash card in the vehicle.

“He foolishly agreed to drive from Perth to return it.

“He certainly shouldn’t have done that. Not only was he receiving prescribed medication at the time, he had taken some substances.”

He had subsequently lost his job as a result of the offence but was receiving “ongoing support”for substance abuse.

“It’s a serious matter,”conceded Mr Baxter.“But there is an alternative to the ultimate Draconian punishment (of prison).”

The lengthy driving ban was backdated to February 4 when Humphreys had an interim disqualification imposed.