A banned motorist who escaped a fireball crash in rural Perthshire has admitted driving while disqualified.
Gillespie Hook-Macdonald was ordered off the road for a year in August 2020 after a court heard how he smashed into a tree while four times the legal alcohol limit.
His wrecked vehicle caught fire and completely burned out, Perth Sheriff Court was told.
On Friday, the 21-year-old returned to the dock and admitted driving while disqualified in January this year.
According to court papers, he drove a grey Volkswagen Golf at the Bennybeg Garden Centre car park in Crieff and along part of the A822 Muthill to Crieff road.
Sheriff Alison Michie was told his original ban had only expired last month.
She disqualified him again and deferred sentenced until October 20.
‘A stupid mistake’
The court heard last year that Gillespie Hook-Macdonald had set off to meet his girlfriend and her pal in the early hours of July 12.
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said: “At 3.40 am the fire service contacted police to tell them there had been an accident and a car collided with a tree then caught fire.
“The accused made it known to the police that he was the owner and driver of the vehicle in the collision.
“The vehicle was described as being completely burned out.”
Mr Sweeney said Hook-Macdonald was not breath tested until nearly 8am but even then he was still well over the legal limit.
Hook-Macdonald, from Queen’s Road, Comrie, admitted driving carelessly and hitting a tree while he was over the limit in Crieff.
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said: “He had been at home drinking alcohol. He received communication from his girlfriend in Crieff.
“She was with a friend and they were both drinking and invited the accused over to the house. He made a stupid mistake getting behind the wheel.”
Hook-Macdonald, a dry-stone wall maker, was fined £665.
