Drink-drive man left to swallow his words

A new Angus driver with a “pet hate’ for drink-drivers has been banned after being caught at more than four times the legal limit.

Keiron Mcwalter made the fateful decision to make the short journey home from a barbecue in Arbroath, but caught the eye of police in the early hours.

At Forfar Sheriff Court, the 24-year-old electrician admitted driving in Arbroath’s Brechin Road on May 21 with a reading of 96 microgrammes, against a legal limit of 22.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said Mcwalter was seen shortly before 1.30am by patrolling police officers who were concerned about the manner of his driving and pulled him over.

Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said: “He only passed his test earlier this year.

“He was invited to a barbecue and the plan was for him to stay there.

“He had been eating and drinking during the day, it got into the early hours and he was well over the limit, but as everyone had left or gone to bed, he made the decision to try to get home.

“He advises me that one of his pet hates is drink-drivers, so he is fairly crestfallen to be in this situation,” added Mr Markowski.

Sheriff Gregor Murray told Mcwalter it was a “high reading”.

Mcwalter was fined £700 and banned for 14 months.