Shocked residents found drug-driver slumped over wheel

A driver was found slumped over the wheel of his Audi A3 in the middle of the day with no idea where he was, a court has heard.

It later emerged that Robert Watters was high on drugs, disqualified from driving and uninsured at the time of the incident in Newbigging.

The 41-year-old appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court, which heard a doctor was called after passers-by saw the car come to a halt and raised concerns about his wellbeing.

He diagnosed Watters was under the influence of drugs on July 12 2016.

Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said: “At 1.10pm a witness saw a black Audi A3 driven by the accused at the locus.

“She saw the driver slump over the steering wheel.”

The car pulled up outside the house of a witness and he went outside to investigate.

“The keys were taken and police officers arrived to find the car facing south, blocking a driveway,” added the fiscal.

“He slurred his words and said he didn’t know where he was.

“A roadside breath test was administered and he gave a reading of zero.

“A doctor formed the opinion he was impaired and a blood sample was taken.

“He was of the opinion he was unfit through drugs. He didn’t have a clue where he was.”

Defence agent Anne Duffy said her client was on the methadone programme and had his dose reduced recently.

He was supported in court by his fiancée.

He was investigating more recovery options in his home city of Aberdeen, including the Teen Challenge UK rehabilitation programme.

Watters, of Crombie Road, admitted driving while disqualified in Pitairlie Road, driving without insurance and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “There’s no point in me putting you on a community payback order with supervision requirements if you are going to be under someone else’s supervision.”

Sentence was deferred to September 28 and the accused’s bail was continued.