Van driver was five times over the limit

The driver of a Ford transit van, seen by police“weaving about”a country road, was almost five times over the legal booze limit.

Thirty-seven-year-old Jakub Ruszel, who claimed to have downed three or four “strong ciders,”was banned for 32 months and ordered to complete 70 hours of unpaid work when he appeared for sentence at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told him:“You placed other road users at considerable risk driving at that level of intoxication.”

And he questioned the amount of his alcohol intake, given the high reading.

“It seems to me it’s likely that you drank considerably more - either that, or they were extremely strong ciders.”

Ruszel, of Shields Place, Dunkeld Road, Perth, admitted driving with 99 microgrammes of alcohol - the maximum allowed is 22 - on April 17, 2021.

The court was told that police, who had been alerted by a member of the public, traced the van on the B9099 Stanley-Perth road, close to the Laguna House driveway, shortly after 8pm.

“He was still weaving about the road,” explained depute fiscal Andrew Harding.

“The accused brought the van to a stop when officers activated their lights and siren.

“He was found in the driving seat and was asked to provide a breath specimen, which he failed.”

He was then taken to Dundee Police HQ where further tests were carried out.

Solicitor Nikki Brown said it had been a

“disastrous decision”to drive, taken by a man of“some talent”.

The pandemic had led to financial difficulties but she added:“He’s hopeful, given his skill set and the easing of restrictions, he will get back to work soon.”

Despite noting that he had been driving while“heavily intoxicated”,Sheriff Bowie gave him a chance to take part in a drink/ drive rehabilitation course.

He will have to pay the £120-£150 cost himself but if he completes it satisfactorily, he will get his driving ban cut to two years.