Post-match drinks leave young rugby player facing driving ban

A promising young sportsman is facing a driving ban after being caught behind the wheel while more than twice the legal alcohol limit.

John Cockburn had three pints and two cans of lager after playing in an away game with his rugby side at the weekend.

Appearing in the dock at Perth Sheriff Court on Monday, he claimed to have switched to soft drinks in the belief that a two-hour break from alcohol would see him fit to drive.

Officers stopped the 20-year-old later when they became concerned by the standard of his driving.

Their suspicions were confirmed when they found his speech slurred and his eyes ”glassy”, while Cockburn subsequently gave a positive roadside breath test.

Solicitor Jamie Baxter described his client as ”a gifted young sportsman” with a good job within the warehouse at exclusive retailer House of Bruar, which would now be in jeopardy.

Cockburn, of Park Neuk, Blairgowrie, admitted driving with excess alcohol (80 mics) on the A926 Blairgowrie to Alyth road on October 6.

The legal limit is 35 mics.

Sentence was deferred until October 24 for the accused to produce his driving licence.

Cockburn was disqualified from driving in the interim.