An Angus man found behind the wheel with “pinprick-sized pupils” has been banned from driving.
Police found a wrapper of heroin in Calum Clark’s jacket after he crashed into a parked car in Forfar on June 30.
The 35-year-old, from Forfar, appeared at the town’s sheriff court and admitted driving in Fruithill while unfit to do so through drink or drugs.
The accused maintained his driving was affected by strong painkillers that had been prescribed to him following a previous road accident.
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said a roadside breath test came back negative but Clark was taken into custody and a 2.3 gramme wrap of heroin, with a street value of £230, was found on him.
Defence solicitor Sarah Russo said Clark was a “recreational” heroin user who lives alone.
“He tells me he was in a road traffic accident and suffered a serious injury about seven years ago and was in hospital for six months,” she said.
“Since then he has been prescribed strong painkillers and had taken two pregabalin tablets earlier.
“He had taken a friend home and then crashed his car into a parked car.
“Despite heroin being found on his person, he advises me he had not used heroin on that day.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio banned Clark from driving for a year and fined him £750.