A former footballer claimed he was forced to drink-drive to flee his partner’s enraged family who accused him of rape.
James Frame, 32, said he felt his life was in danger after his partner’s brother punched and threatened him while their family was holidaying at a caravan park at Comrie.
Frame fled the caravan park in his car, driving into the centre of the Perthshire village and ending up spending a weekend in custody as a result.
Although the rape allegation against him was subsequently dropped, he admitted to driving while more than twice the limit on August 9 last year.
He told Perth Sheriff Court: “I was assaulted. I was fighting with her brother. He said I raped his sister. I came back from the shop and he was screaming in my face. He accused me, punched me on the face and we had a scuffle.
“He threw the keys at me and told me that if I didn’t get away from here, I would get done in. Everybody was against me. I had no choice but to drive. My life was in danger, that’s how I felt.”
Frame, who is currently a skilled ground worker, told the court that he had the chance to play professional football with East Stirling and Airdrie Utd but that injury halted his career.
On Monday, he argued he should not be banned from driving as it was an “emergency situation”. However, Sheriff Fiona Tait rejected his claim, stating that the campsite was in the middle of Comrie and he had the choice to walk to leave the site.
Frame, Bank View, Chapelhall, Airdrie, admitted drink-driving in Melville Square, Comrie, on August 9. He was banned from driving for two years and fined £800.