An undertaker was more than four times the drink drive limit when he crashed into a parked car.
David Wightman, who caused considerable damage to both vehicles in the late night incident, was fined £600 and banned from the road for 14 months.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told that the ban would have lasting consequences.
Fiscal depute Dev Kapadia told the court: “The vehicle he collided with and caused damage to had been left parked overnight.
“Witnesses had gone to bed, and at 12.20am they were woken by a loud bang outside. The accused was recognised as being out of the car.”
Mr Kapadia said: “He appeared under the influence as he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his speech. Witnesses came and spoke to the accused.
“They asked him what had happened and told him he had crashed into their car and he said ‘I know’. The police were contacted.
“There was considerable damage to both vehicles. The air bags in the accused’s vehicle had been deployed. Both cars appeared to be undriveable.”
‘Utterly ashamed’
Wightman, who is also a lifeboat crewman, was traced a short time later and told police it was his father’s car, but that he also drove it sometimes.
He was clearly still under the influence and failed a roadside breath test, before being taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for a check-up.
Wightman, from Dundee, admitted driving carelessly and crashing into a parked car in Broughty Ferry on July 11, 2020. He also admitted driving while he was more than four times the limit with a reading of 91 mics of blood in his system. The legal limit is 22 mics.
Solicitor Jim Laverty, defending, said: “He is utterly ashamed of himself and very remorseful for what happened. He made the silly decision to drive this car and that will have lasting consequences.
“He will accept his punishment, but it will have an impact on those around him. He is basically a taxi service for his children’s activities.
“Mr Wightman knows that because of his selfish actions he will require to lean heavily on his ex-partner.
“He is 47 and finds himself before the court for the first time. This will have an impact far beyond the court’s punishment.”
Sheriff Charles Lugton said: “I have to say you were substantially over the limit and it is quite clear your ability to drive was substantially impaired.
“I will take account of the fact you have no record and accept that this was very much a one-off, or at least I hope it was.”
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