A drink-driver was nearly four times the legal limit when he crashed into the back of a parked lorry in Fife.
Robert Peterson’s Skoda was wedged under the trailer of the HGV, which was stationary in a parking area just off the A92 between Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard the collision happened shortly before 11pm on August 23 this year.
Peterson, 43, appeared in the dock to admit drink-driving and careless driving.
Crash
Procurator fiscal depute Lauren Pennycook told the court the lorry driver had parked earlier in the day and later heard a loud bang from the back of the vehicle, causing it to move slightly.
The fiscal depute said: “Officers attended and saw Mr Peterson’s vehicle wedged fully under the trailer of the HGV.
“His car had extensive damage to the front and the HGV had damage to the nearside light cluster.
“Mr Peterson stood at the side and had some blood on his hands.
“When officers spoke to him he stated he consumed alcohol earlier in the evening.”
Peterson was taken to Dunfermline police station and provided an alcohol in breath reading (83mics/22) nearly four times the legal limit.
Charity work
Defence lawyer Christopher Large said Peterson had no explanation for why he drove the car that night but accepted it was a “stupid thing to do” and said he felt “ashamed”.
The solicitor said his client also co-operated fully with police and did not try to conceal the fact he had drunk alcohol.
The lorry driver was not injured but Peterson, of Dunfermline’s Izatt Avenue, did sustain some injuries.
Mr Large said Peterson was previously self-employed as an importer of mostly medical products but that he is currently medically unfit to work.
The lawyer said Peterson is “living off credit” and did not want to apply for benefits because he felt he “did not deserve them and felt others are more in need”.
The court also heard Peterson is involved in charity work with his wife, who is a councillor.
As someone who is Polish by birth and has faced discrimination, he focuses on working with minorities, particularly Polish people, in the community.
Sheriff Susan Duff strongly recommended Peterson does apply for benefits.
She sentenced him to carry out 66 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for a year in relation to the drink-driving offence.
Peterson was admonished in relation to the careless driving offence.
