A teenager took a work’s vehicle on an early morning joyride while almost three times the drink-drive limit.
Ben Paton crashed the van at some point during his travels and was later found asleep in a layby by police.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the 18-year-old, who only holds a provisional licence, had been drinking in an employee bar.
He later took the van, which belonged to Loch Tay Highland Lodges, and was only intended for use on the estate, while on a walk in the early hours of the morning.
Fiscal depute Rebecca Kynaston told the court: “The accused was employed at Loch Tay Highland Lodges. As a result he had access to the work’s vehicle. He is the holder of a provisional licence.
“At 10pm witness Richardson attended at the staff bar for a few drinks. The accused was also there and was seen to be drinking whisky.
“At around midnight the accused left the bar. At 6.10am police received an anonymous call saying that the accused’s vehicle had been in an accident.
“The accused was then traced. The vehicle had front end damage and the accused smelled of alcohol.
“There was no insurance or MOT for the vehicle as it was used only around the business and not on the roads.”
Solicitor Jamie Baxter said Paton had been working at Loch Tay Highland Lodges for three months prior to the incident.
He said: “His recollection of events is hazy. It’s a vehicle that he has driven on the estate.
“It seems he returned to his accommodation, went for a walk, came across the vehicle and decided to go for a drive — foolishly he took it on to the public road.
“He believes that when police arrived he was parked in a layby and was sleeping. He’s not sure when the damage occurred.
“He does accept the responsibility for his actions and that the consequences could have been far more serious.”
Paton, of Wester Drumatherty Farm, Spittalfield, admitted driving at Loch Tay Highland Lodges, the A827 Ballinluig to Killin Road and roads in between, with 64mics of alcohol in his system on May 15 this year. The legal limit is 22.
He also admitted driving on a provisional licence and without insurance on the same roads and to taking the van from Loch Tay Highland Lodges on the same date.
Sheriff Gillian Wade imposed an 18 month disqualification but deferred the remainder of sentence for Paton to take part in the Right Track programme.
