Pensioner driving at three times drink limit ‘was a stupid mistake’

A man has admitted driving while more than three times the drink-drive limit.

Thomas Miller’s Ford Ka was stopped by police on Springfield Road in Kinross on July 4.

At Perth Sheriff Court, Miller, 78, admitted having 115 mics of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson told the court: “It was about 7.40pm on July 5. Police officers observed the vehicle being driven by the accused.

“They followed the vehicle for a short distance before activating blue lights.”

After stopping Miller, officers could smell alcohol on him and conducted a roadside breath test, which Miller failed.

Solicitor John Adams, defending, said that due to building work in his home in Drum, Kinross, Miller was on his way to a local leisure centre to use the showers when he was stopped.

Prior to leaving the house he had drunk alcohol but did not realise it would put him over the limit.

Mr Adams said: “He accepts it was a stupid mistake.”

Sheriff William Wood banned Miller, who had a clean licence, from the roads on an interim basis to allow reports to be prepared prior to sentencing.