A Welsh man whose failing family life led him to live in his car in Angus has been disqualified from driving.
Simon Ramsden, 46, of Langley Avenue in Montrose, went from being a self-employed carpenter to living on his own in his vehicle in Angus after a family breakdown forced him to move from his home in South Wales.
He appeared at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday after being found guilty of drink driving during an incident at Traill Drive in Montrose on March 29 last year.
The court heard how “everything fell apart” for Ramsden around two years ago when his wife and children left him and he moved to Angus.
Robin Beattie, defence agent for Ramsden, said his client had been living with his sister and brother-in-law but ended up living in his car and was found with 73 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, roughly twice the limit, while parked at Traill Drive.
Ramsden denied the charge and the case went to trial, where he was eventually found guilty.
Mr Beattie said Ramsden’s brother-in-law was in court to offer support and a prospect of full-time employment in the forestry industry, which was on the cards with the family member.
He added that if Ramsden could maintain his driving licence it would assist in securing the new job and aid his recovery.
However, Sheriff Gregor Murray said he could not look at the situation subjectively and was also disappointed by an Angus Council social work report into Ramsden, which “did not inspire confidence”.
Sheriff Murray said: “The information before me does not suggest you have accepted that you have an alcohol problem. In the past when you have been offered opportunities to take advice you have not taken them.
“I have to judge your case objectively albeit the facts of the case are unique in my experience and, to a certain extent, bizarre. You will be disqualified for one year and I will also fine you £400.”