Angus 71-year-old fell asleep at wheel before Montrose crash

An Angus pensioner has been ordered by a sheriff to appear personally in the dock after admitting falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into another car on a busy Montrose road.

Gordon Coull is facing an automatic ban after the 71-yearold’s privately-registered car hit another vehicle on the Angus town’s Rossie Island Road in April, injuring himself and two other people.

Coull, of Mount Road, Montrose, was not present at Forfar Sheriff Court when his case was called before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown yesterday.

However, the accused submitted a letter to the court pleading guilty to a charge of dangerous driving.

The charge states that on April 7 this year on Rossie Island Road, Montrose, the accused drove his car dangerously while tired, fell asleep at the wheel while driving and drove on to the opposing carriageway and collided with an oncoming car, causing damage to both vehicles and injury to himself and another man and woman.

The extent of the injuries suffered by the three people involved and the damage suffered by the two vehicles will be given to the court at the next calling of the case.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the matter was one that requires a mandatory disqualification.

Sheriff Martin-Brown continued the matter until July 13 for Coull to be personally present.