A drink driver who drove his van into the back of a parked car and then drove home told police when they went to his door: “I’m p*****, I’ll be the first to admit it. It was me.”
James Butchart, 53, of Fintryside, admitted driving while almost four times the limit and failing to stop and give his details after the collision. Solicitor Ross Donnelly told Dundee Sheriff court his conduct was a “monumental example of poor judgment”.
The court heard the owner of the parked car was sitting in her home on Fintryside at 9pm and heard a loud bang from outside.
When she looked out the window she could see Butchart’s white van had struck her car and on investigation, she realised it was quite badly damaged, with debris strewn across the road.
Fiscal depute Kirsten Letford told the court Butchart’s registration plate had come off in the collision and the woman could see his van was now parked further down the road.
The woman called police who attended at his home and he immediately admitted his guilt to them.
Mrs Letford said a roadside breath test revealed a reading of 83mics.
Mr Donnelly said his client was employed as an electrician and the commission of the offences would have severe implications for his job.
“He consumed alcohol, then had a nap. He then consumed more alcohol and decided to take the van to the shops,” he said. “He can’t explain why he took that decision”.
Butchart admitted committing the offences on August 18 this year at Fintryside.
Sheriff John Rafferty disqualified Butchart from driving for a total of 20 months and fined him £800.
He told Butchart that if he wanted to take part in and successfully complete the drink-driving rehabilitation scheme his ban would be reduced to 16 months.
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