A chef who was jailed and disqualified from driving has been allowed to cut short his ban so he can transport his kitchen knives around the country.
David Chalmers told a court he worked as an agency chef-for-hire and often had to take his own set of up to 30 specialist knives to restaurants with him.
Chalmers was banned from driving for eight years and jailed after the latest in a string of drink-driving and other motoring offences in May 2009.
But he returned to Perth Sheriff Court and persuaded Sheriff William Wood to remove the disqualification two years early so he could return to work as a chef.
Solicitor Billy Rennie said: “He has completed six years of an eight-year ban. There have been no new matters arising since the commission of that offence.
“Work has been significantly prohibited by his lack of a driving licence in recent years.
“He’s concerned that, at the age of 61, if he doesn’t get back to work now he might never do so…
“There is also the practical matter of the transportation of knives. He has some 20 or 30 specialist knives he will take to a job like most chefs, and a great deal of uniforms.
“He realises he’s got one last chance to get back to meaningful work.”
Sheriff William Wood told Chalmers: “Your conduct over the years has been colourful to say the least. With a great deal of hesitation I am going to grant the petition for removal but any further offending is likely to result in a custodial sentence.”
Chalmers, who is from Crianlarich, will have to pass a driving test before getting back on the road.