Police found a drug-addled couple unconscious in their car on an Angus roadside with the engine running and a crying child in the back seat.
Officers had already driven past Ryan and Malissa McCabe’s stationary car and initially had no concerns.
But minutes later, their control room ordered the officers to return after they had been alerted to the people inside.
After being woken, Malissa McCabe believed the couple were already in Aberdeen, despite having travelled for just a minute from their former Brechin home before pulling over.
Ryan McCabe, 29, who now works as a landscaper, could not be roused until police pinched his ear.
He admitted being in charge of the car while unfit through drugs.
His wife Malissa, 28, who appeared on court paperwork under her maiden name Wilson, admitted neglecting the baby in the backseat by consuming drugs and becoming unconscious as a result.
Baby crying in back seat
The McCabes, now of Thornton Wood travelling persons’ site near Kelty, had been living at a property in Brechin’s High Street at the time of the offence, January 11 last year.
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton told Forfar Sheriff Court: “At 5pm, officers were on mobile patrol on the A935.
“They passed the accused’s vehicle which was stationary and had the right indicator on.
“There didn’t appear to be anything concerning.”
However, 15 minutes later, the area control room contacted the same officers to say they had received a call about concern for the welfare of a man and woman slumped inside and a baby crying.
The officers found Ryan McCabe unconscious in the driver’s seat and the engine running.
His co-accused was unconscious in the front passenger seat.
A child under the age of two was in the back passenger seat, visibly distressed.
Drove just a few yards
The court was told officers secured the child and unsuccessfully tried to wake Ryan McCabe, who was breathing.
Malissa McCabe began to gain consciousness and told police she had not taken anything but had just been sleeping.
She believed they were in Aberdeen, although the vehicle had only made it as far as Brechin’s Montrose Street.
Officers had to pinch her husband’s earlobes to wake him up.
Toxicology analysis of his blood later showed that there were 527 microgrammes of methadone per litre of blood.
After being charged, he told police: “It was a complete f*** up on my behalf. I really wish I didn’t do what I have done.”
First dose of methadone
Solicitor Nick Markowski said: “Mr McCabe has got a very significant record.
“He was diagnosed in 2020 with complex PTSD.
“He had significant drug addiction issues as a young man.
“He’s now started to engage with community mental health.”
He said on the day of the offence, his client had taken his first ever prescribed dose of methadone.
“He took it home, he takes it, he starts to drive.
“He was in charge of the vehicle. He was under the influence of methadone.
“He’s no longer taking methadone. He’s keeping well. He’s holding down his job.
“He’s in a totally different position today.”
First offender
Solicitor Keith Sym, appearing for pregnant first offender Malissa McCabe, tendered a letter from social workers to the court.
He said: “They accept it’s a one-off incident.
“She took some of his medication. This had a profound effect on her.”
Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon fined Ryan McCabe £450, plus a £20 victim surcharge, and furnished him with 10 penalty points.
Opting not to disqualify him, he said: “I take into account that you’re the sole bread winner and it would affect other parties.”
He admonished Malissa McCabe and said: “I accept it’s a one-off incident.”
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