Paramedics had to deliver a double dose of a lifesaving overdose drug to a drive-through motorist found slumped over the wheel in the car park of a Tayside McDonalds restaurant.
Scott Mathieson’s slurred speech had alarmed staff at Forfar’s Ha’ppenyburn outlet when he tried to order food at the takeaway window.
Seconds later the sound of a blaring horn led to the 45-year-old being found in his vehicle and paramedics being called.
Mathieson survived after the emergency crew treated him with an opoid blocker, and he has now been banned from the road for 21 months after a sheriff slammed him for getting behind the wheel.
Mathieson, of Restenneth Drive, Forfar appeared before Sheriff Derek Reekie at the town’s sheriff court where he pled guilty to driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs on July 8, and without insurance.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said Mathieson went into the drive-thru shortly before 8pm and appeared to staff to have slurred speech.
“They were concerned about his manner and were of the opinion that the accused didn’t understand what was happening,” said the fiscal.
“He went to the next window where another member of staff engaged with him and suspected he was unfit to drive.”
Matheson attempted to park his vehicle and witnesses alerted to the sound of a car horn found the accused slumped over the wheel.
The court heard paramedics administered two 400ml doses of naloxone, a drug used to block the effects of opiods included decreased breathing.
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said: “He is quite candid in the social work report about the state he was in at the time.”
Sheriff Reekie noted Mathieson had previously been disqualified from driving in 2007 and 2013 and described the incident as “pretty horrific”.
“The risk you presented and the potential for harm to yourself and other road users in the state you were in was extremely high,” he told the accused.
“You were slumped over the wheel with the horn blaring, which demonstrates you should never have been in a car, let alone on the road.
“You have quite a number of previous road traffic offences. Driving without insurance seems to be a bit of a habit.
“Some take the view that it’s a victimless crime, but it isn’t – it’s an extremely serious matter,” said the sheriff.
In addition to the driving ban, Mathieson was also ordered to carry out 210 hours unpaid work under a nine-month community payback order.
