Fife man who drove van dangerously while on drugs is jailed

Erratic driving through town led to crash with female motorist

The dangerous driving of a van driver who was under the influence of drugs resulted in numerous calls to the police.

Patrick Philbin sped through Cowdenbeath High Street at 8.30am, mounting a pavement, before driving into the opposite carriageway and smashing into a car which caught fire.

Fortunately, the female driver escaped but firemen had to free Philbin who was trapped in his van.

Philbin, 24, previously of Green Road, Kinross but recently living in Lumphinnans, was jailed for eight months at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on May 21 last year in High Street, Cowdenbeath, he drove a van dangerously and repeatedly swerved into the opposing carriageway.

He repeatedly caused other road users to take evasive action to avoid a collision, mounted the pavement, approached a corner at excessive speed, drove into the opposing carriageway and collided with a car driven by Lucy Smith, whereby both vehicles were extensively damaged and both of the drivers were injured.

He also admitted driving on the A909 Cowdenbeath-Kelty road culpably and recklessly whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf told the court that at around 8.30am Police Scotland began receiving numerous calls about a white Ford Transit van being driven erratically.

“The van was swerving from lane to lane. The vehicle was picked up on CCTV being driven into Cowdenbeath High Street,” he said.

“Again it was crossing into the opposite carriageway and it mounted a pavement in the High Street.

“At 8.35am Mrs Smith was driving towards Cowdenbeath. She saw the van coming towards her in her lane and there was a collision.”

The woman got out of her car before it caught fire but Philbin was trapped in his van.

The fire service attended and Philbin was freed from the vehicle. He appeared to be under the influence of substances and his mouth was blue.

The woman and Philbin were both taken to hospital for treatment.

The court was told Philbin was currently serving a six-month jail term for another offence and was due to be released on May 7.

However, Sheriff Craig McSherry jailed Philbin for another eight months to follow his current term and banned him from driving for two years.

The van was swerving from lane to lane. The vehicle was picked up on CCTV being driven into Cowdenbeath High Street. AZRAH YOUSAF, DEPUTE FISCAL