Driver’s ‘awkward gait’ helps police secure four-year ban

A motorist has been banned from driving for four years after being reported to the police because of his distinctive walk.

A solicitor said Douglas Kyle attracted attention because of his “awkward gait” and a passerby called the police after spotting him walking towards his car.

Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall told Perth Sheriff Court that Kyle, 61, was well over the drink-drive legal limit when officers arrived to investigate.

Solicitor Stephen Morrison, defending, said: “He does have something of an awkward gait and that’s probably what drew the attention of those who called the police.

“That was why the police were called, but at the end of the day he was found to have committed this crime.”

Kyle, Leslie Road, Scotlandwell, admitted driving while he was more than double the limit on the A911 between Kinnesswood and Scotlandwell on 9 December.

Mr Morrison told the court that Kyle admitted binge drinking for several days at a time, but also stated he would go for days without drinking anything at all.

He said Kyle had an “entrenched position” towards alcohol and lived an “isolated lifestyle” with “internet friends” as his main social contact.

Sheriff James Macdonald said: “This was by no means a borderline case. You were twice the alcohol limit. It is a matter of grave concern to me that you maintain a misconceived denial of the offence.”

He banned Kyle from driving for four years, placed him on social work supervision for 12 months and ordered him to undergo alcohol counselling. Kyle was also placed on a curfew for 10 weeks.