A young driver’s “silly” decision to pick up a pal ended in an early-hours run-in with the law and the loss of his licence.
David Penman had been celebrating his win in an Arbroath bowling tournament but when a call came from a stranded friend he got behind the wheel and headed for Forfar.
But the hapless 20-year-old ran out of fuel on the way there and, when he returned to his car after going to get a top-up, police were waiting with the breathalyser.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, Penman, of Queen Street, Arbroath, admitted driving with excess alcohol (81 mics) on the A932 Forfar to Friockheim road on June 6.
The court heard the offence happened around 2.30am.
Defence solicitor Angela McLardy said: “It was a silly decision. He had been drinking between 8.30pm and 11.30pm and after 1am a friend in Forfar requested a lift.
“He decided to go and collect him but ran out of petrol, left the car and it was when he returned that police located him.”
Ms McLardy said Penman is currently unemployed but volunteers at a Monifieth care home.
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio fined him £350 and imposed a 15-month disqualification.
