A former prisoner who was looking forward to his first festive season out of jail wound up back in the cells on Christmas Day after drink-driving for 17 miles.
Damien Dyer was meant to spend his first Christmas at liberty with friends and family in Aberdeen on December 25 2020, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
However, the 45-year-old ended up in custody for his fourth Christmas Day running after he made the decision to drink-drive from Aberdeen to Banchory.
Fiscal depute Ryan Diamond told the court Dyer was spotted leaving a flat on Holburn Street at 8.55am.
Drove 30 miles drunk at Christmas
“That witness believed him to be under the influence due to his slurred speech and unsteady presentation,” Mr Diamond said.
“He was later seen entering a vehicle and driving off.
“Police were contacted and at around 9.25am the accused was observed driving the vehicle in Silverbank Crescent, Banchory.
“He was observed to be under the influence, he tried to start the ignition but stalled the car.”
When police arrived Dyer had already left the car but he was later traced at his home in Peterculter. He was taken to Kittybrewster Custody Suite where he provided a positive breath alcohol test.
He admitted driving with no licence, no insurance and with 39 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of blood, the legal limit being 22.
His defence agent Sian Grant said her client had been in prison from 2017 to 2020 and he was diagnosed with PTSD during that time.
‘He can’t remember what happened’
“This was his first Christmas out of prison,” she added. “Christmas Day was the first time he had consumed alcohol in many years and it didn’t mix well with his PTSD medication. He can’t remember what happened that day.
“He had been at an address with family and friends, something had happened that made him feel uncomfortable and he decided to leave.”
She added that Dyer no longer drinks alcohol and is being treated for his PTSD.
“He has turned his life around,” she added.
Sheriff Hodge told Dyer: “I take into account the fact you have a lengthy history offending but it has been some time since you last offended. I also take into account you are now working.”
Dyer, of School Road, Peterculter, was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £840.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.