Wrong decision costs driver

A short trip home proved costly for an Angus drink-driver.

Neil Mcintosh was just a few hundred yards away from his house when he took the decision to drive home but the 30-year-old was spotted by police in Montrose and found to be over the legal limit.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode told Forfar Sheriff Court the offence happened shortly before 11pm on August 30.

Police saw Mcintosh driving and when they stopped him they detected a strong smell of alcohol.

The accused, now of Spalding, Lincolnshire, admitted driving with excess alcohol in the Angus town.

Defence agent Nick Markowski said his client had been drinking at a friend’s house on the night of the offence.

“His intention was that he was going to leave the car,” said the solicitor.

“His address was in High Street and Provost Scott’s Road is about a one-minute drive and a four-minute walk.

“He made the wrong decision and he is apologetic for that.”

The court heard Mcintosh was working at an Angus food processing plant at the time, but has since been moved to England.

“His driving licence is not essential for his job so he will retain that but he realises there will be a disqualification,” said Mr Markowski.

Sheriff Jillian Martin-brown banned Mcintosh for 15 months and fined him £450.