A motorist who smashed into three cars in a five-mile “drunken rampage” on a Perthshire road has been jailed.
David MacDonald spent much of the journey on the A85 unable to see as his bonnet had flipped over the windscreen in the first crash.
He was chased along the Perth to Crieff road by a Good Samaritan, who removed the keys from MacDonald’s Volkswagen Golf when he eventually came to a halt.
As he staggered from the vehicle, the 44-year-old was seen clutching a wine bottle and was later found to be almost seven times the legal drink drive limit.
Yesterday at Perth Sheriff Court MacDonald was sentenced to eight months behind bars after a Sheriff declared that he had posed a “significant hazard” to other road users.
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode told the court: “At 5pm Mr Leckie was driving eastbound on his way home. As he approached the unclassified to Madderty out of the corner of his eye he saw the accused’s vehicle approaching the junction. The accused’s vehicle collided with his van.
“Mr Leckie stopped his van and other witnesses saw the accused drive around the van and make off at speed towards Perth. The accused’s number plate was recovered the debris.
“Mr Cummings passed the damaged van and continued driving. He then saw the accused grey Volkswagen Golf parked at the side of the road and noticed damage to the front end. He then saw the accused moving off and approaching the rear of his car.
“Mr Cummings stopped his car and the accused drove past. Mr Cummings saw that the accused’s bonnet was up, preventing him from seeing ahead. He was alarmed at that and so followed the accused.
“The accused continued to drive erratically and was seen to drive in the middle of the road and repeatedly swerve into the opposing lane.
“Mr Blair saw the headlights of the accused’s vehicle approaching him. He attempted to move to the nearside but the accused collided with him. Mr Rose, who was behind Mr Blair, also attempted to avoid a collision but the accused also collided with him.
“Mr McKee, who was behind Mr Rose, was able to take evasive action and was fully on the verge.
“Both collisions were witnessed by Mr Cummings, who continued to follow the accused. The accused stopped and got out and Mr Cummings saw he had a bottle of wine in his hand, which he threw into a field. Mr Cummings took the keys from the accused’s vehicle.”
Solicitor Billy Somerville, defending, said MacDonald had personal difficulties which had led to him drinking.
He said: “It’s very fortunate that he was able to avoid more serious consequences. His recollection is zero.
“He had been employed but this ceased in November last year and he has taken to drink in a foolish way to try and make things better but it has made things substantially worse.”
Sheriff William Wood told him: “I listened to the narrative in this case with an increasing sense of alarm. This can only be described as a drunken rampage in your car while seven times the legal limit.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that you represented a significant hazard to other road users.”
In addition to jailing MacDonald, Sheriff Wood banned him from the road for four years and ordered him to sit the extended driving test before he can regain his licence.
MacDonald, of Kilnhill farm cottages, Kirriemuir, admitted driving dangerously on the A85 on January 4.
He further admitted failing to stop after an accident and to driving with a breath alcohol level of 153mics, almost seven times the legal limit of 22.
