A Polish man has been banned from the UK’s roads just three weeks after moving to Scotland.
Przemyslaw Ampulski admitted a string of driving offences during an appearance at Perth Sheriff Court.
The 25-year-old was discovered at the side of the Blairgowrie to Perth road by an off-duty police officer, who contacted colleagues after detecting a strong smell of alcohol. Ampulski was later found to be twice the legal drink drive limit.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said: “At about 11.30pm a constable was commuting to work. At that time, he came across the accused standing at the roadside and it appeared that he had fallen off a black motor scooter.
“He spoke to the accused and immediately detected a smell of alcohol from him. He contacted the police about that and at about 11.45pm, officers attended.
“They found the accused and the scooter lying on the grass verge at the side of the road. They asked the accused to join them in their vehicle. They also detected a smell of alcohol from him and that he was unsteady on his feet.
“At 12.10am, the constables requested that the accused identify the driver and he said: ‘I’m the driver’. He was then required to provide a roadside breath specimen.
“He initially agreed to provide a sample but then refused. He was then arrested and taken to police headquarters and provided a sample there.”
Solicitor Billy Somerville, defending, said: “He came to this country just over three weeks ago and has been working for one week in a local factory.
“He has no real explanation as to why he was riding the vehicle. He consumed alcohol and made a stupid decision.”
Ampulski admitted that on November 16 on the A93, near Isla Bridge, he rode a motor scooter with 72 mics of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.
He also admitted having no insurance and to failing to provide a breath specimen at the roadside.
Sheriff William Wood disqualified Ampulski, of Hatton Road, Blairgowrie, for 16 months and fined him £500.