A former oil worker has admitted driving through a north-east town while under the influence of drink or drugs.
Leonard Barclay was spotted driving his Vauxhall on Links Terrace in Peterhead and on other streets in the port on October 5.
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The 46-year-old was eventually stopped by police after his car was seemingly abandoned in the middle of the road.
Barclay appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday and pled guilty to driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
Fiscal depute Callum Thomson told the court Barclay, of Prunier Place, Peterhead had been spotted driving slowly into a local supermarket car park.
He said: “On October 5 at around 10pm at Longside Road, Peterhead, a witness saw the accused driving a vehicle and it turned into the Asda store.
“He saw a black Vauxhall Astra being driven slowly. It was parked in the middle of the lane rather than in a space.
“The witness saw the accused get out of his vehicle and noticed he was unsteady on his feet.”
Mr Thomson said a short time later Barclay’s vehicle was found in the middle of the road.
He said: “A further witness saw the car at Links Terrace and it was at an odd angle. They believed it had been abandoned.
“The police arrived and found the accused in the driver’s seat. His speech was slurred and he wasn’t making much sense.
“He was later charged and told officers ‘I’ve just had a really tough day.’”
Defence agent Andrew Mackie said Barclay had been dealing with a number of issues at the time.
“Mr Barclay would like to place on record his remorse for this. The incident represents the culmination of personal difficulties.
“He used to work full-time in the oil and gas industry until that employment ended, his relationship finished and his father died.
“It all got too much for him.
“He recognises he has substance abuse issues and has been proactive in contacting Turning Point Scotland.”
Sheriff Christine McCrossan banned Barclay from driving for three-and-a-half years and fined him £1,000.
