Driver banned after being caught at wheel while twice the limit

A motorist was caught at almost twice the legal drink drive limit after taking his cousin’s car and driving it “erratically”.

Crawford Allwood was given the keys to the vehicle to give him a place to sit and calm down following an argument with his partner.

However, instead he opted to go for a drive and was caught when police spotted him swerving across the road.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown told Perth Sheriff Court: “The vehicle belonged to the accused’s friend and for some reason he’s taken it.

“At around 3.45am the accused was seen driving erratically, banging into the kerb, and he was brought to a stop.”

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, elaborated further on the incident. He said: “He had been out with his partner and his cousin.

“There had been a disagreement with his partner and his cousin had given him the keys so he could sit in the car and calm down.

“In a spur of the moment decision he got in and drove off.

“He accepts that was a moment of complete stupidity on his part and he accepts full responsibility for that.”

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to driving with 41mics of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 22.

He also admitted having no insurance to drive the vehicle and to having no licence.

All three offences took place on Auld Bond Road, Primrose Crescent and Primrose Terrace in Perth on February 11 this year.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis fined Allwood, of Primrose Terrace, £800. He also disqualified him from driving for a period of 21 months.