A postman who drove on the Aberdeen bypass while more than four-times the legal drink-drive limit has been banned from the road.
Michael Sangster has “no idea” why he decided to break his unblemished driving record by jumping behind the wheel after drinking alcohol on October 9 this year.
The 39-year-old, of Westhill, was caught out after an off-duty policeman noticed him driving slowly and crossing between lanes on the Aberdeen bypass near its junction with the A93.
The officer suspected Sangster was under the influence so tailed him and, when Sangster pulled over to the side of the road, took the opportunity to remove the keys from the ignition of the Audi A3.
‘You didn’t see me driving’
“He was unsteady on his feet,” fiscal depute Dylan Middleton told Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
“While being conveyed to Kittybrewster Police Station in a police vehicle he remarked ‘I drove there, parked it up … but you didn’t see me driving’.”
The postman and supermarket worker admitted driving his Audi A3 while over the limit.
Breath tests confirmed the level of alcohol in his blood was 89 microgrammes in 100ml, the legal limit being 22.
‘He has shown genuine remorse’
Defence agent Liam McAllister said Sangster was “appalled” by his decision to get behind the wheel and has shown genuine remorse.
He said: “References from both his employers speak to his impeccable character and of what a valuable employee he is.
“This is his first conviction and dealing with the justice system. He has had his licence his whole adult life and without a blemish on it.
“Mr Sangster has asked me to pass on his genuine remorse.
“He has wracked his brain trying to figure out why he got behind the wheel in a state of intoxication. He is normally risk-averse.”
Sheriff William Summer banned Sangster, of Kirkside Court, from driving for 18 months and fined him £640.
He will be allowed to set a drink-driver rehabilitation course which could cut that ban by four months.
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