A six-times-the-limit drink driver is facing a court battle to hang on to his performance car worth almost £10,000.
Intars Nordens’ erratic driving caught the eye of police last November in the centre of Forfar.
When they pulled the 33-year-old Latvian over in his Subaru Impreza, Nordens gave a breach alcohol reading of 136 microgrammes in 100 millilitres – more than six times the legal limit of 22.
Nordens, of Langlands Road, Forfar has been banned from the road in the interim, but has now been given three weeks by a sheriff to come up with proof of a loan commitment hanging over the vehicle to avoid it being confiscated.
He previously admitted drink driving in Forfar’s Myre Road in November and appeared before Sheriff Gregor Murray for disposal of the matter.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told the town’s sheriff court: “Around 19.40 on November 19, officers saw a Subaru Impreza, which the accused was found to be driving.
“Their attention was drawn to it due to concerns over the manner of driving – the accused lost control coming into the locus.”
Nordens was breath tested and registered the high reading.
The court heard the Crown had previously made a motion for forfeiture of the 2004-registered vehicle, which had been given a valuation of between £6,500 and £9,700.
“The motion may require further consideration – as far as the Crown was aware there was no finance outstanding on the vehicle,” added the fiscal.
Nordens’ solicitor said that the accused had not owned the vehicle long and there was actually a bank loan outstanding on the car.
“Confirmation of that can be provided in early course,” added the agent.
The case was continued until February 16, with the accused’s interim disqualification remaining in force.
Nordens’ breath alcohol reading is one of the highest to come before the court in Angus since drink-drive legislation changed in December 2014.
At that time the breach alcohol limit dropped from 35 mics to 22, with the blood alcohol legal limit reducing from 80 to 50 milligrammes in 100 millilitres.
