Just hours after being released on bail, a Perth man ended up back in custody when he was caught drink-driving.
Officers arresting Edwin McArthur discovered he had appeared at the sheriff court six hours earlier for an analogous matter.
The 41-year-old was spotted by neighbours as he drove his car into a hedge just outside his home at McCallum Court on March 30.
Depute fiscal Carol Whyte said: ”He then left the vehicle and went into the property. A member of the public saw that he was unsteady on his feet so they contacted police officers.
”When they arrived at about 6.05pm, they saw the accused reverse the car into the centre of the road, mounting the kerb in the process.”
Concerned about his behaviour, they removed the keys from the ignition of McArthur’s car before carrying out a roadside breath test.
A later test conducted at divisional headquarters revealed a lower reading of 90mics of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mics.
McArthur’s solicitor told the court her client had been the victim of a stabbing at the beginning of the year and this had a ”catastrophic impact” on his life.
”Following the incident in January when he was stabbed, he started drinking again because of the pain he was in,” she said.
”He is adamant that his current alcohol consumption is not an issue and he doesn’t require counselling. He has been referred to a psychologist at Murray Royal Hospital and has already attended one session.”
McArthur admitted that on March 30, at McCallum Court, he drove or attempted to drive a vehicle with excess alcohol (90 mics).
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis was critical of the accused, pointing out that this was his third conviction in seven years for drink-driving.
”Clearly, you have a problem with consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel of a car,” he said. ”You were not dissuaded from getting behind the wheel while you were still under the influence of alcohol and I consider it entirely appropriate that you lose your liberty.”
He jailed McArthur for six months and imposed a driving ban for seven years.