Arbroath driver caught after telling police he had used drugs

An Arbroath man who was caught in his driving seat after he admitted using cannabis to police has been disqualified from driving.

Derek John Guthrie (28), of Fairport Road, Arbroath, admitted that on December 22 at Arbroath police office he failed to provide a specimen of blood without reasonable excuse that was required to ascertain his ability to drive a car.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told the court Guthrie turned up at the police station voluntarily to inquire about an unrelated incident.

She said: “The accused freely admitted to having used cannabis within the last two hours.”

The police officer offered to drive Guthrie home, she said, but when he went outside he found the accused sitting in the driver’s seat of his car.

“Guthrie openly admitted it was his vehicle and that he had driven it there,” Ms Drummond added.

Guthrie gave a breath sample that was negative for alcohol but refused to give a blood sample. A medical examiner judged his speech and appearance to indicate drug use.

Sheriff Peter Paterson disqualified Guthrie from driving for 15 months and fined him £250.