A PERTHSHIRE sheep-shearer who took a tractor from an Angus agricultural show in a drink-fuelled act of “utter stupidity” was fined and banned from the road yesterday.

Brian Simpson (25), of Hatton Place, Blairgowrie, had been drinking at the Kirriemuir Show a week past Saturday when he spotted the keys inside the cab of the vehicle as the Muirhead of Logie event came to an end.

He took the tractor out of the showground and around 100 yards down the main road, far enough to land him in the dock before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar where he pleaded guilty to taking and driving away the tractor on July 14, driving with excess alcohol (81mics) and no insurance.

Depute fiscal Donna Brown said the successful show had attracted around 5000 visitors, but as a result of earlier torrential rain parts of the field were waterlogged and some vehicles had to be towed out by tractor.

“The owner of the tractor placed it near the exit gate and during the day it was used by authorised people. The keys were left in the ignition because people were going to and fro,” said Mrs Brown.

At around 6pm the owner saw the tractor being driven down the A928 beside the showground and he drove to the north end of the field in an attempt to catch it.

Mr Simpson got out of the vehicle and police who were called saw he was obviously under the influence.

Steve Wilson, defending, said Simpson had ordered a taxi to get home and was facing a wait of half an hour when he passed the tractor and saw the keys in it.

“He went about 100 yards down the road and realised it was a mistake. He tells me that he was going to the shops.

“I don’t know if I can say that this was anything other than utter stupidity,” said the agent.

Noting it was Simpson’s second drink-driving offence, Sheriff Veal fined him a total of £800 and imposed a four-year driving ban.