A man has been banned from the roads after he crashed his cousin’s car while over the drink-drive limit.
Ryan Dow, a support worker for adults with learning difficulties, took the white Ford Focus after he had been unwinding after work.
But the 20-year-old, who only holds a provisional licence, lost control of the car and crashed it into a field off the A980 near the Mill of Kintocher.
After the accident Dow called the emergency services himself and fully admitted driving the car while over the limit and without insurance.
He also told the police he was a learner driver and said he wasn’t accompanied by anyone qualified, nor was he displaying ‘L’ plates.
Yesterday Dow appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted the offences, which occurred on March 27.
Representing the young man, solicitor Iain Hingston said his client normally works seven days a week.
He said he barely has any free time for himself, and when he does he likes to unwind with a drink.
Mr Hingston told the court his client could not offer any reasonable explanation for why he took the car but said he realised it was a stupid thing to have done.
The court heard Dow, of 4 Bettie View, Alford, will not lose his job because of the offence however Mr Hingston said not being able to obtain his licence will make things difficult for him.
Sheriff Alison Stirling fined Dow £400 and disqualified him from driving for a year. She also allowed him to undertake the drink drivers’ rehabilitation course, which if completed would allow him a three-month reduction on his ban.
