A joiner got behind the wheel of his van while almost six times the drink-drive limit, then claimed he did it because he was afraid the £7,000 worth of tools in the back would be stolen, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Jason Christie has been warned he faces a jail term after a sheriff warned him his behaviour was “absolutely outrageous”.
The 41-year-old was caught after police received an anonymous tip-off that he was drunk and intended to get behind the wheel.
He was then spotted on CCTV driving on Main Street in Dundee before turning along Dens Road, driving along the rear of Dens Park, then turning into North Isla Street.
Christie admitted the charge at a specially convened Saturday court sitting held because of the holiday weekend.
Depute fiscal Isma Mukhtar said: “Police were advised by an unknown caller that the accused was intending to drive his vehicle home. That was received at 6.30pm.
“CCTV showed him driving around 8.30pm.
“When he was stopped, checks were carried out and it was found he didn’t have any insurance for the vehicle.
“He was breathalysed and the reading was 129 microgrammes.
“When he was cautioned and charged he replied ‘yes, I did, guilty as charged’.”
Christie, 42, of Clepington Road, Dundee, pled guilty to driving with 129 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath on March 30.
The limit is 22.
This put him just under six times the limit.
Defence solicitor Gary Foulis said: “This was poor decision-making on his part.
“He’s a self-employed joiner.
“There were £7,000 worth of tools within the van.”
Sheriff Tom Hughes deferred sentence until April 27 and released Christie on bail.
He said: “You are almost certainly facing a custodial sentence here.
“This is absolutely outrageous. You were almost six times over the limit and driving.
“The big question is whether to remand you or not.
“However, I will allow you bail. But be aware you are facing a custodial sentence.”
The sheriff also ordered that Christie’s van be seized by the Crown meantime.
