A man was caught driving while disqualified for the sixth time — after his sister reported him to police.
Bruce Findlay, of Cumnock Place, narrowly avoided a jail sentence after admitting at Dundee Sheriff Court to driving his dad’s car on September 10 in Balunie Avenue and Baluniefield Road.
The 27-year-old apprentice bricklayer also admitted driving without insurance.
Findlay was previously handed an eight-month jail term in 2013 and was banned from driving for six years.
The court was told police checks were carried out on Findlay after officers received a call telling them he was driving while banned.
Solicitor Paul Parker-Smith said Findlay, a dad-of-three, was “kicking himself” after his latest conviction.
The solicitor said: “He is the main supporter of his partner and his three children.
“He’s also the principal carer for his father, who has the early onset of dementia.
“He’s kicking himself for taking his father’s car.
“It was an act of stupidity and it was his sister who phoned the police.”
Mr Parker-Smith said Findlay was in the last four months of a four-year apprenticeship and earned about £300 per week.
Sheriff Derek Reekie praised the responsibility of Findlay’s family who contacted the police immediately when he went to drive the car.
Mr Parker-Smith asked Sheriff Reekie to consider an alternative to a prison sentence for Findlay.
The solicitor said that due to his client’s responsibilities to his children and his father, a custodial sentence would only be to his family’s detriment.
Sheriff Reekie said: “He also has a responsibility to other road users.”
When passing sentence on Findlay, Sheriff Reekie said: “It is with grave reservations that I do not impose a custodial sentence.
“You have an appalling driving record and the only factor persuading me that there’s an alternative to custody is the circumstances of this offence.”
Findlay was ordered to carry out 280 hours of unpaid work over a period of nine months.
A restriction of liberty order was also imposed, meaning he will have to remain within his home from 7pm-7am for five months and he was also fined £400, and disqualified from driving for four years.
The sheriff said that all of these sentences were imposed as a direct alternative to a jail term.
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