A boozed-up motorist got behind the wheel after passing a drink drive self-test using a device from Poundworld.
The cheap DIY test proved unreliable and police were called after he was seen clearly drunk at a petrol station.
When bargain hunter Mark Sharp took the real test he was found to be more than three times over the limit.
Despite submitting a guilty plea, Sharp still appeared aggrieved when he was in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court saying: “I took a test.”
Sheriff Craig McSherry gave Sharp a tip on why the £1 device did not provide a true reading. “I suppose the clue is in the name of where he bought it,” he said.
Sharp, 44, of Dewar Street, Dunfermline, admitted committing the offence when he appeared at the town’s sheriff court.
On April 7 in Winterthur Lane, Dunfermline, he drove a car having consumed excess alcohol (70 mics), the limit being 22 microgrammes.
Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said, “At 9.30am the accused was seen at Tesco petrol station. He was smelling of alcohol and a member of the public became concerned and contacted the police.”
The police were quickly on the scene and stopped him at traffic lights near the supermarket.
Defence solicitor John Bain said, “He’s 44, single, lives on his own, is unemployed and he has mental health issues.
“He had been drinking the night before. He had bought this test-yourself drink test from Poundworld. He has told me many times he passed that self-certified test. He genuinely thought he was fit to drive.”
Mr Bain added. “He’s got rid of the car.”
Sheriff McSherry fined Sharp £400 and banned him from driving for 12 months.