Drunk chef who claimed crime gang ordered him to steal car loses licence

A drunk chef, who told police he had stolen the car he had just crashed on the orders of an organised crime gang, lost his driving licence at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Thomas Sandison, 21, of Albert Square, was appearing for sentence on Wednesday having previously admitted taking the car without permission from Glenagnes Road on October 8 and driving while drunk and without insurance.

The court had heard he had released the handbrake of the vehicle, which had been left in a driveway, causing it to collide with a parked car.

When police found him, he was barefoot and dishevelled and he told officers he had been ordered to the steal the car by an English gang as it was to be used in a “major heist”.

He was said to have no memory of his night out, and when charged he asked officers if he would be able to find out what had happened to him after leaving a city centre nightclub.

Sandison’s defence agent told the court: “This is a situation Mr Sandison deeply regrets.”

Sheriff Hughes told Sandison: “This is a very serious matter. You were almost three times over the limit.”

He disqualified him for two years and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.