A radio technician at RAF Lossiemouth was caught nearly four times the drink drive the limit by police waiting for him at the gates to the base.
Officers were tipped off by members of the public after they saw Daniel Tomlinson get in his car after drinking in a bar in the Moray town.
Yesterday, the 35-year-old, who lives near Dundee, admitted a charge of drink driving when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court.
Defence solicitor Iain Maltman explained the serviceman had expected his pregnant girlfriend to be able to drive the couple back to the camp on January 26.
However, when she became fell unwell he “panicked” and decided to get behind the wheel to get her to a doctor on the base.
Mr Maltman said: “They had been drinking in Lossiemouth and he had given the keys of the car to his partner.
“When she became ill he became worried about her condition and took the decision to drive her back to the camp to get her there as quickly as possible and was met by police at the gate.
“He didn’t feel drunk at the time. He was surprised at the reading that was given.”
Fiscal Kevin Corrins said: “Police received a call at about 6.30pm from staff and customers at a licensed premises to say the accused had been drinking and had got in a car and driven off.”
Tomlinson, of Grangehill Drive in Monifieth, was caught with 80mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 22mcg. He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £600.
