A drugged-up Angus driver had to be boxed-in by chasing police when he drove off after being found slumped behind the wheel of a car in the town.
Stephen Cochrane blew a zero drink-drive count after being cornered in the early hours Arbroath incident, but a doctor who examined him at police HQ formed the view the 36-year-old was under the influence of an illicit substance, leading to an appearance in the dock at Forfar sheriff court.
Cochrane also pled guilty to driving off from a town petrol station when he appeared before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown and was placed on a Community Payback Order.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said Cochrane was spotted on August 27 last year in a vehicle with the engine still running and damage to its offside.
Cochrane was slumped across the front seats and when witnesses tried to rouse him he briefly woke up, but then lay back down.
“Police were contacted and he then drove off,” added the fiscal, who said local check points were put in place and officers spotted the accused’s vehicle around 5am.
“They took up position behind it and when the accused was stationary at traffic lights another vehicle came to the front of him and boxed him in.
“His speech was slurred and he was lethargic. He insisted he was tired and was examined by a doctor who formed the view that he was impaired by some sort of drug.
“He was not able to be charged at that time because of his inability to stay awake and understand what was being said to him.”
In another incident on July 20 last year, Cochrane filled his car at a local petrol station but then told the cashier he had forgotten his wallet.
He then drove off and was later spotted by police, speeding off when he saw them.
Officers were told not to get involved in a pursuit, but a sharp-eyed member of the public signalled to them that he had driven into the car park and Cochrane was crouched behind his vehicle, which he had parked behind two minibuses.
Sheriff Martin-Brown banned Cochrane, of Hill Street, Arbroath from driving for 12 months and placed him on a year-long Community Payback Order, with supervision and programme requirements.
