A six-times-the-limit Tayside businessman found beside his car after he crashed into a back road ditch has been fined £1,500 for the “staggering” drink-drive count.
Ian Hosea was also banned for 23 months after trying to make the two-mile journey to a friend’s house after an afternoon drinking and crashing on a back road north of Dundee.
The 38-year-old was found by police just before 10pm on the Bridgefoot to Templeton road on August 14.
Depute fiscal Laura McGillvery told Forfar Sheriff Court Hosea was standing beside his black Land Rover Freelander with his dog.
He gave a roadside breath reading of 132 microgrammes – six times the legal limit of 22.
When arrested for the offence he told police: “I’m sorry.”
Hosea, of Craigmill Road, Bridgefoot pled guilty to the offence.
The court heard Hosea, who works in the family leisure and tourism business, had been drinking from 3pm to 8pm.
Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said: “Given the nature of his business, although this was a Wednesday, it was in effect his Saturday.
“He was kept in custody and this has all been a fairly salutary experience for him.
“He’s embarrassed, ashamed and it appears to be an isolated aberration.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Hosea: “By any standards, the reading in your case is staggering. It is one of the highest I have seen.
“Nonetheless, you have no previous relevant convictions and the report reveals you recognise the danger you posed to yourself and others.”
