A reveller at T in the Park diced with death by walking onto a busy stretch of motorway after chart-toppers Snow Patrol wowed festival-goers with hits including How To Be Dead and Chasing Cars.
Perth Sheriff Court yesterday heard how alcoholic William McCabe began to wander towards cars on the M90 after becoming separated from friends at the festival.
Police eventually had to close a stretch of the carriageway before apprehending the 38-year-old.
McCabe, of West High Street, Buckhaven, admitted to culpably and recklessly walking into the path of oncoming vehicles, causing them to swerve out of the way, on July 12.
Depute fiscal Janine Bates told the court terrified motorists contacted the police after seeing McCabe lurching toward them.
She said, “Police were on mobile patrol when they received a radio message about a male walking along the M90.
“Officers made their way to a flyover which afforded them a view of the motorway.
“From their vantage point the accused could be seen on the carriageway walking into the path of oncoming vehicles across both lanes.
“Vehicles had to take evasive action and were seen to be swerving around the accused.”
Ms Bates said officers quickly made their way down to the motorway itself.
However, catching up with McCabe proved to be anything but straightforward.
Ms Bates said, “An officer tried to take hold of the accused but he avoided his grasp and ran away.Blue lights”The accused continued to jump in front of oncoming vehicles and police eventually had to stop the flow of traffic by placing a marked car with blue lights activated across the carriageway.
“Officers then signalled for vehicles to stop.”
She added, “Eventually they managed to get hands on to the accused and took him to the side of motorway.
“When asked why he was behaving in such a manner he replied, ‘I am killing myself’.”
Solicitor Edward Hume said McCabe suffered from depression.
He told the court, “He is a chronic alcoholic… his mood had dropped after he lost his friends while attending T in the Park.
“There really is no further explanation for his actions.
“Alcohol and depression are key factors.”
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis placed McCabe on probation for 18 months and ordered him to undergo alcohol treatment and counselling.
He said, “There is no doubt you made a pest of yourself and created a hazard for others.
“If you fail to comply with probation you will leave little option open other than a custodial sentence.”
Outside the court, McCabe said, “I can’t remember anything.”