A barman was allowed to drive off by police officers despite being nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit.
Dean Hammon, 23, was allowed to go on his way after the initial conversation with officers but forgot to switch on his headlights.
When he was stopped a second time, he was breathalysed at the roadside and found to be almost four times over the limit.
Yesterday at Perth Sheriff Court, Hammon was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £600 by Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney.
Fiscal depute Chris Macintosh said: “Officers observed the vehicle being driven by the accused had damage to the wing mirror.
“He was asked about it and then drove off, but failed to activate his headlights. Officers followed him and when he was stopped a roadside breath test proved positive.”
Hammon, Ruthvenvale Terrace, Auchterarder, admitted driving with excess alcohol (80 mics) in Auchterarder High Street on 28 December.
Solicitor Steve Lafferty, defending, said: “He is about to start work as a bartender in a local hotel. The reading was quite high. He accepts responsibility.
“There seems to have been some dialogue with the police beforehand and it is rather curious that he then drives at all. He knows he is going to be off the road.”
