A Monifieth man who drove a van while drunk and disqualified has been jailed.
William James Cameron (67), of Ashludie Terrace, admitted that on January 1 at Ashludie Terrace and Panmure Street, Monifieth, he drove a van with excess alcohol (88 mics), without insurance and while he was a person disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence.
Cameron was banned from driving for five years in March 2010 after another offence of driving while disqualified. Though he has never passed a driving test, he has motoring convictions dating from 1964.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told Arbroath Sheriff Court that police had been alerted after Cameron was spotted by a neighbour entering the van at around noon and driving off.
She told the court: “The witness observed the accused struggling to get into the vehicle and appearing off balance as if under the influence of alcohol.
“Police traced Cameron in Monifieth High Street. He admitted he had driven the vehicle and was a non-licence holder. Officers smelt alcohol on his breath and he provided a positive breath sample.”
Defence agent Sarah Russo said her client was a “chronic alcoholic” who also had mental health issues.
She added: “He normally has a driver. He is remorseful and pled guilty at the outset.
“His second wife died five years ago and his alcohol problem has been exacerbated since that time. He turned to alcohol as a means of coping with his grief.”
After deliberating for several minutes, Sheriff Valerie Johnston sentenced Cameron to four months’ imprisonment, discounted from six months as a result of his early plea.
She said: “This incident took place in the middle of the day and you were a serious danger to members of the public. Driving a van was a clear contravention of a previous court order.”
Cameron was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for 15 years. He was admonished from the insurance offence, although his licence was endorsed.