A drink-driving taxi driver ploughed into a Christmas market with a passenger in the back seat, a court has heard.
Donald Kennedy, from Brechin, was almost five times the drink-drive limit when he became bewildered by diversions at the Montrose’s highlight of the festive shopping calendar.
The 54-year-old drove down the High Street and knocked down a young man who was standing at the “hog roast” stand during the Christmas Spectacular on December 20.
He “did not realise” he had driven into the back of a young male, who was eating takeaway food in the pedestrianised area.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the accused has since lost his job. He had been experiencing alcohol difficulties at the time.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said: “The road was closed due to a yearly Christmas Spectacular that was taking place in the High Street.
“There were 50 stalls in the street on that day, and the complainer was facing away from the street, getting food from a takeaway stall. The accused drives past the stalls before the hitting man.”
Ms Kennedy added: “The accused doesn’t appear to realise that he’s struck the complainer and exits the vehicle.
“Two stewards come over and take his keys he’s clearly under the influence of alcohol.”
At the time, the Scottish Ambulance Service stated he was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, and police described his injuries as minor.
Ms Kennedy said he sustained “soft tissue injury” to the back and was prescribed painkillers.
Defending Kennedy, solicitor Brian Bell said his client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was a retired psychiatric nurse for NHS Tayside.
Mr Bell said: “He tendered an early plea to both charges and accepts the offence took place.
“He was working as a taxi driver at the time. He had taken a passenger to a location where the roads were being closed due to the festive period.
“There was then a bump and then vendors came over. He does show remorse.”
Sentence had been deferred for criminal justice social work reports.
Mr Bell said the reports to the sheriff showed Kennedy was remorseful and several factors had contributed to problem drinking during the time of the offence.
He added: “There was low mood. There have been alcohol difficulties in the past.
“He lost his father, and there have been relationship difficulties in the past.
“These all contributed to the offence. He’s clearly lost his job as a taxi driver.”
Fining Kennedy £500 and disqualifying him from driving for two years, visiting Sheriff Vaughan told the accused: “You pled guilty from the outset.
“However there is a fairly high reading on the charge, in relation to the new limit on drink-driving.”
Kennedy, of Park Farm Bungalow, admitted driving carelessly in High Street, striking Jordan Dickson and colliding with traffic cones.
He also admitted giving a reading of 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 22 mics.