A sozzled pensioner celebrating his birthday obtained behind the wheel of his automotive and smashed it right into a van.
James Paterson, 71, was greater than 4 occasions the drink drive restrict when he climbed into his Nissan X-Path on February 15 in a second of “utter insanity”.
He had spent the day consuming earlier than ploughing right into a Ford van on Bridge of Weir Highway.
Paisley Sheriff Courtroom heard: “Round 3pm on February 15, the witness was driving her works car on Bridge of Weir Highway when she noticed the accused approaching her on the carriageway.
“As she approached the junction, the accused entered onto the carriageway in entrance of her, failing to cease and collided with the close to aspect of the car.
“Each autos stopped and the witness obtained out her car to test if Paterson was injured.
“Members of the general public additionally stopped to help and police had been contacted.”
Procurator fiscal depute Ms McLeod advised how a passing AA restoration truck moved each autos off the street to permit site visitors to get previous.
Ms McLeod added: “Police attended and famous nobody was injured and noticed the accused in his passenger seat being comforted by a member of the general public.
“The accused recognized himself as the driving force of the automotive and supplied a specimen of breath on the roadside which he failed.
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“Police photographed the harm to the autos and the accused was taken to the police station, the place he supplied two specimens of breath with the bottom studying being 107mg in 100ml of breath.
“Paterson was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
Paterson, of Lintwhite Crescent, Bridge of Weir, admitted driving whereas drunk on February 15. The proportion of alcohol in his breath was 107mg – the authorized restrict is 22mg.
He additionally admitted driving with out due care and a spotlight.
Defence agent Ms Wallace defined the date of the incident was Paterson’s 71st birthday.
Ms Wallace additionally stated the pensioner has a consuming drawback, including: “Mr Paterson accepts duty. His first phrases to me had been it ‘was an extremely silly factor to do’.
“He has struggled with alcohol issues for numerous years and isolation, attributable to lockdown, has worsened his consuming.
“This was his birthday and he was in his house consuming. He drinks most days. He has struggled with alcohol for numerous years and that is what has led to this incident.
“This was a second of utter insanity that he sincerely regrets. He's extraordinarily embarrassed and upset.”
Sheriff Tom McCartney banned Paterson from driving for a complete of three years and two months and imposed a superb of £1,040, to be paid inside 28 days.
The Crown’s request for forfeiture of the car was refused.