A Forfar man’s fall-out with his partner at a wedding ended in disaster when he was pulled over for drink-driving at more than four times the legal limit.
Police spotted Kevin Archibald’s car veering onto the wrong side of the road as he made his way through Forfar in the early hours and the 36-year-old was stopped just yards from his home.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, Archibald, of the town’s Taylor Street admitted driving with excess alcohol in North Street, Market Street, Brechin Road and Robertson Terrace on September 30.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told the court that officers on routine patrol saw the accused’s vehicle around 1.40am, and as Archibald made a left-hand turn he hit the kerb on the opposing carriageway before returning to his side of the road.
Police activated their blue lights and followed Archibald along Market Street before he pulled into nearby Robertson Terrace.
His speech was slurred and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, said the fiscal.
The accused gave a roadside breath test reading of 104 microgrammes – the legal limit is 22 – and when arrested and taken to Dundee police station registered a lower count of 91 mics, the figure to which he pleaded guilty in court.
Archibald’s agent told the court: “He does apologise to the court that he finds himself in this situation.
“The previous evening he had been at an all-day wedding with his partner.
“Words were exchanged which led to a separation and he left the wedding.
“He travelled by bus to Forfar and got in his vehicle.
“It was a moment of madness, he was extremely upset and emotions were high,” added the solicitor.
The court heard the accused would be able to keep his job as a concrete repairer, but a driving ban would cause “difficulties” for the firm.
“He does not have any previous convictions, he is not someone who is in bother with the police or the law,” his agent said.
Sheriff Keith O’Mahony fined Archibald £600 and disqualified him from driving for a year.
