Double trouble as drink-driving couple banned

A couple landed in double trouble after a bizarre drink-fuelled driving incident in an east Perthshire town.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that roofer James Farquharson had been driving his BMW in Alyth when he“came to a screeching halt.”

When he exited the vehicle, however, his teenage girlfriend, a front seat passenger, slid into the driver’s seat and took off.

As he chased after her, she stopped 100 yards down the road before abandoning the car in the middle of the road.

She then promptly collapsed because she was“so drunk,”according to depute fiscal Lisa Marshall.

Passers-by had witnessed their antics and the police were called.

They both failed roadside breath tests and were found to be over the drink-drive limit.

They stood side by side in the dock as they were each fined £750 and disqualified for two years.

Twenty-three-year-old Farquarson, of Rashiehall, Balbeggie, and Zoe Doig (19), of Drumleys, Airlie, were given the chance to take part in a drink/drive rehabilitation scheme.

If completed successfully, they will get three months knocked off their bans.

They admitted driving with excess alcohol in Airlie Street, Alyth Square, Commercial Street and Bamff Road, all Alyth, on April 7 and 8 this year.

He had 38 microgrammes of alcohol on his breath and she had 61. The legal limit is 22. Ms Marshall said the incident took place about 11.30pm on a Friday night.

Solicitor Mike Tavendale said both accused had gone for a night out in Alyth.

They had intended leaving the car and were to be picked up by a friend.

He went to check on his vehicle after leaving the pub and discovered one of the wing mirrors had been damaged.

He decided to move the vehicle 200-300 yards.

“He got out but for some reason she slid across into the driver’s seat and also moved the vehicle.”

The pair will have to fund the rehabilitation course in full themselves.