A drink-driver who ploughed his BMW 4×4 into a parked car, then swerved around the streets of an Aberdeen suburb as he made an ill-conceived getaway, has been banned from the roads for two years.
Craig Truscott had been drinking at the Bieldside Inn on Wednesday, August 8, when he decided to drive home in his white X6 estate car.
Minutes later, residents on Binghill Road “heard a loud bang”, which turned out to be the sound of Truscott’s car smashing into a parked Honda – and then colliding with a garden wall.
Despite his own vehicle being significantly damaged in the crash, Truscott still drove away from the scene – and around the affluent suburb – with smoke billowing from his bonnet and one wheel “sitting at an angle”.
The next day, the 33-year-old went to Queen Street police station in Aberdeen and turned himself.
Last month Truscott admitted a charge of driving dangerously, driving at “excessive speed” and swerving across the carriageway while under the influence at the city’s sheriff court.
Sentence was deferred in order to obtain reports and he returned to the dock yesterday.
Defence agent, Gregor Kelly, claimed that the accused had a drinking problem which he had taken steps to address.
He said: “There is no getting away from the fact there could have been serious consequences for both himself and for others.
“He’s now sought help for his drinking problem and turned a corner. This has been a proverbial wake up call for him”
Sheriff Andrew Miller imposed 160 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within one year, and banned Truscott from driving for two years.
He added: “Members of staff at the Bieldside Inn called you a taxi but you declined and not only did you attempt to drive home, but your vehicle was involved in a collision.
“Then you reversed the vehicle and continued to drive.
“This is a serious example of dangerous driving and a custodial sentence was an option, but it is clear you have taken steps to control your drinking problem.”
