A Fife shop owner crashed his work van into a parked car while eight times the drink-drive limit, a court has heard.
Mohammed Aslam, 39, of Dunfermline’s Whitelaw Road, was attempting to drive home when he collided with a Vauxhall Zafira in nearby Duncan Crescent last month.
The 39-year-old, who runs a family business with his wife at a local convenience store, appeared this week at the city’s sheriff court for sentencing.
A sheriff told him his actions were “completely unforgivable”.
Eight times legal limit
Procurator fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf told Dunfermline Sheriff Court a person saw from a window the van shunt into a neighbour’s car at around 10.30pm on September 5 and went to alert the vehicle owner.
A number of people at the scene reported the driver appearing intoxicated.
As he tried to restart the vehicle, a neighbour removed the keys.
The fiscal said Aslam’s family members arrived and removed him from the vehicle before police arrived and put him in the back of a car.
Ms Yousaf said he was breathalysed when it became clear he had been driving.
Aslam previously pled guilty to driving with excess alcohol (176mics/22).
This could have caused death, serious injury, untold lifelong misery for other people.”
— Sheriff Andrew Berry.
He also admitted a charge of driving the van carelessly into the Vauxhall Zafira.
Aslam admitted the offences when he appeared in court from custody the day after the collision.
Stress led to alcohol mis-use
Defence lawyer Calum Harris said his client had been using alcohol as a coping mechanism due to stress but it had spiralled out of control.
The solicitor explained Aslam’s brother is severely ill and needs his daily care, that his mother died in January, his own 10-month-old son had to undergo an operation, and his father in Pakistan is currently unwell.
Mr Harris said Aslam recently returned to Pakistan to visit family and feels this has “rejuvenated” and “motivated” him to address his issues.
The solicitor said his client was thankful no-one was hurt and sorry for the damage caused to the car.
The court heard Aslam also had a previous conviction for an offence of a similar nature, for which he received a driving ban.
‘Completely unforgiveable’
Sheriff Andrew Berry told Aslam: “The condition in which you drove this vehicle was completely unforgivable, especially when you have previous convictions.
“I consider the possibility of sending you to prison today in the public interest.
“I have heard about quite a few of the things (going on) in your life.
“However, this could have caused death, serious injury, untold lifelong misery for other people.
“You had far too much to drink and pretty much immediately collided with another vehicle.
“You should regard this as being your last chance in terms of offending of this nature.”
Direct alternative to prison
The sheriff banned Aslam from driving for three years and he was told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
He will also be subject to offender supervision for six months.
The sentence was a direct alternative to custody.
Aslam must also complete an extended driving test following his disqualification period and this will be subject to whether the DVLA are satisfied he is fit to drive.
Sheriff Berry decided not to order forfeiture of the van because it is needed by Aslam’s wife for business purposes to transport goods.
