A Cardenden man was found to be drunk in charge of a vehicle after running out of petrol on one of Fife’s busiest roads.
Police officers stopped to assist when they saw David Burns’ Volkswagen Golf parked up at the side of the A92.
They agreed to give the 31-year-old a lift to a filling station, before noticing a strong smell of alcohol.
Burns later failed a breath test with a reading of 62mics, almost three times the legal drink drive limit of 22mics.
He told cops he wasn’t in the vehicle while under the influence, despite earlier telling one officer he had been drinking the night before.
Slurred speech
Fiscal depute Andrew Brown told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court: “At 8.15am, police joined the A92 at Kirkcaldy.
“There was a vehicle positioned on the grass verge with the hazard lights activated.
“They saw the accused at the side of the car.”
Mr Brown said: “He stated he was the owner of the vehicle and had run out of fuel.
“The vehicle was warm, indicating it had been driven recently.
“They offered him a lift to get fuel.”
One officer stayed behind with the stricken car while the other transported Burns in the patrol car.
Mr Brown continued: “On speaking to the accused it became clear he was under the influence of alcohol.
“Alcohol could be smelled and he was slurring his speech.
“The accused stated he had been drinking the previous evening.”
Charged
Burns was taken to Kirkcaldy Police station for a breath test, which he failed.
On being cautioned and charged, he replied: “I wisnae in the vehicle when I was under the influence.”
Burns, of Dundonald Park, Cardenden, admitted being drunk in charge of a vehicle, with a reading of 62 mics, on the A92 Kirkcaldy east bound slip road on February 12 this year.
Sentence was deferred until next month for reports.
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