An Angus drink-driver went off the road after he met a police van while going the wrong way round a roundabout.
Daniel McPhail from Friockheim drove into a lamp-post and bus stop as he was leaving Montrose after a night drinking to celebrate his girlfriend’s pregnancy.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 20-year-old had fallen out with his friend and made a “very stupid decision” to drive home at more than twice the legal alcohol limit on September 7.
He had made it as far as the Ferryden roundabout before encountering police driving into the town.
Depute fiscal Stephanie Ross said the officers were forced to “brake severely” before McPhail’s vehicle left the road.
She added: “The accused is owner and keeper of a black Audi. At approximately 2am police witnesses were driving a marked police van north on the A92 approaching Ferryden roundabout.
“They saw a dark-coloured vehicle coming round on the wrong side of the road. As a result, the constable was forced to brake severely as the accused appeared to lose full control of his vehicle.
“The accused then collided with a lamp-post and shelter. There’s no doubt if the PCs hadn’t braked sharply they would have been involved in a collision.”
Officers took a sample of breath measuring 75 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath (the legal limit is 35 mics).
Defending McPhail, solicitor Billy Rennie said his client recognised the potential seriousness of the incident.
He said: “He lives alone and unfortunately he just lost his job in the oil industry in Aberdeen, and losing his licence will mean he will find it very hard to get another one.
“He was drinking at a friend’s house in Montrose and celebrating his girlfriend becoming pregnant.
“He intended to stay with his friend in Montrose, but there was a falling out and he had nowhere else to go, so he made a very stupid decision to drive home.
“He apologises and knows there could have been a very significant incident.”
McPhail, of Easter Braikie Cottages, admitted a charge of dangerous driving by rounding a roundabout in the wrong direction and causing damage to a lamp-post, a bus shelter, and his own vehicle, while over the legal alcohol limit for driving.
He pleaded not guilty to a further charge of attempting to run from the scene, which was accepted by the Crown.
Sheriff Gregor Murray deferred sentence until Thursday for McPhail’s licence details to be provided.