Drug-driver found by passerby near overturned vehicle

A drug-driver has avoided a jail term after being told by a sheriff he is skating on “very thin ice” following his latest offence.

Mark Neave was found by a passing motorist scrambling up an embankment close to where his overturned car had come to rest in the early hours.

Although the 38-year-old provided a zero alcohol reading, a police doctor who examined the accused said he was unfit to drive due to being under the influence of an unknown substance – the second time the Forfar offender had committed the same offence.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told Forfar Sheriff Court the incident which led to Neave’s arrest happened around 1.15am on the B9128 Forfar to Carnoustie road when another motorist saw a car on its roof with its lights on in a field.

“It appeared to have veered off the road and gone down an embankment before coming to rest in a waterway,” the fiscal added.

Neave, of St James Road, Forfar, was taken to police headquarters but could not provide a blood sample due to veinal difficulties.

He pleaded guilty to driving on the road on October 21 last year while unfit through drink or drugs.

Defence solicitor Brian Bell said Neave recognised the seriousness of his situation due to a directly analogous conviction.

“Clearly if he continues behaving as he has recently there is a danger to the public, never mind himself.”

Sheriff Gregor Murray told Neave: “With a degree of hesitation I will impose a community payback order as a direct alternative to prison.”

Neave must carry out 160 hours of unpaid work and was banned for 18 months.