A Moray drink-driver ran away from police and hid in a field after being pulled over for speeding.
Norman Stewart was disqualified from driving when he got behind the wheel nearly three times the drink-drive limit on October 21.
The 19-year-old drove quickly past officers in Buckie, who then pulled him over on Highland Road.
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Instead of waiting to speak to the police, Stewart ran away and hid in a nearby field, where he was found lying down and out of breath, with his car keys below him.
A breath test revealed he had 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, almost three times the limit of 22mcg.
Depute fiscal Alex Swain said: “At 11:50pm on October 21, police were in a marked police car on mobile patrol in Buckie when they saw a black Renault Clio driving at speed.
“They activated their emergency lights and went after it before the car stopped on Highfield Road and they noticed the accused and a passenger within.
“The accused got out and ran away and police recognised that it was Norman.”
When Stewart was taken to the station, it was established that he had been disqualified from driving in August.
Stewart, of The Meadows, Buckie, had also failed to show up in court twice, leading to him being remanded in custody.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty told Elgin Sheriff Court his client had learnt his lesson from his time on remand at YOI Polmont.
He said: “Stewart is a young man who was acting in a foolhardy and immature way as he ignored orders in court.
“Some young men have attitudes like that but it all came crashing down around his ears as being in custody at HMP Polmont was not a situation he enjoyed.
“He has learned a significant lesson and now fully understands how important it is to attend court and he fully accepts responsibility for his actions.”
Stewart pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and under the influence of alcohol.
Sheriff Chris Dickson disqualified him from driving for four years and put him on a curfew for 120 days.
He said: “I hope the period on remand taught you a lesson and if you keep carrying on this way, you will be back in Polmont.”
