A drug addict driver found slumped over the front seats of his damaged car in Carnoustie drove off and had to be boxed in by police after they tracked him to Arbroath in a 5am hunt.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard Stephen Cochrane had been thrown out of his family home by his father hours earlier, following a row about his drug-taking.
Now the 26-year-old has been given another chance by both his parents and the sheriff, who spared him a jail sentence for last month’s offence.
Cochrane, of Hill Street in Arbroath, admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs on East Muirlands Road, Arbroath on August 27, while on bail orders granted at Forfar and Perth.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said the accused had gone to the family home under the influence of drugs and got into an argument with his dad, who had thrown him out around 1am and told him not to come back.
Cochrane’s father then called the police to report that he had gone off in his car.
A lookout was posted at the Elliot roundabout but there was no sign of the vehicle.
The fiscal added: “Around 4.40am witnesses walking in Barry Road, Carnoustie saw a vehicle parked up, with extensive damage to the off-side.”
Cochrane was lying across the front seats. The passers-by made several attempts to wake him, before he got up, put his head in his hands for several minutes then lay back down.
He then drove off and police, who had again been alerted, traced the car in East Muirlands Road, Arbroath, where they were able to box him in when he stopped at roadworks.
Solicitor Angela McLardy said the accused was fortunate to still have the support of his parents in trying to tackle his long-standing drug issues.
Sheriff John Rafferty told Cochrane: “You put yourself and others at risk of serious injury or death.
“I can only imagine the difficulties you have caused your father and you are extremely fortunate he has taken you back.
“Your history of carrying out court orders is extremely poor and while I am not optimistic I am prepared to give you a test, and I very much hope you are successful and will be able to start to live the rest of your life in a useful way.”
Sentence was deferred for two months.
