Arbroath learner banned after driving over the limit

A learner driver has been disqualified for drink-driving.

Michael Emslie (18) of Demondale Road, Arbroath, admitted that on Saturday he drove a car with excess alcohol (54 mics) on Demondale Road, Brechin Road and Warddykes Avenue in Arbroath.

He also admitted taking the car from Demondale Road without the owner’s consent and without insurance. He further admitted to driving unsupervised while holding a provisional licence.

At Arbroath Sheriff Court Sheriff Peter Paterson fined Emslie £450 and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a licence for 15 months.

Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said: “A friend of the accused had driven to a party and left his keys in the house.

“At 1am the police were travelling in the road when they saw the accused driving the vehicle without any lights. He had two passengers. Officers detected alcohol on his breath.”

Defence agent Billy Rennie said his client “had been taking driving lessons of late and decided to take the car for a spin”, adding: “All the effort he has put into getting a licence will be lost.”