A drunk construction worker caused a three-car crash and fled the scene – running off into a nearby field to hide from the police.
Hamish Howls ploughed into the back of one vehicle and caused it to hit the car in front, on May 17 this year.
The 42-year-old, who was previously banned from driving, had been drinking on the day he got behind the wheel of his Ford Transit work van.
After the crash on the B999, the builder from Newmachar got out of the van and apologised to the other drivers, before running away into a nearby field.
After Howls was discovered by police, smelling of alcohol and “slurring” his speech, he refused to give a urine sample to determine how drunk he was.
Fiscal depute David Rogers told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that, at around 2.40pm on May 17 this year, motorists were travelling northbound on the B999.
They encountered a queue of traffic near the junction with the B977 Middleton to Potterton Road, Aberdeenshire.
“One witness became aware of the sound of tyres screeching and observed a grey Ford Transit van travelling toward him at speed,” Mr Rogers said.
“The accused struck the rear of his vehicle, shunting it forward, which caused it to collide with the car in front.
“The witness in the second vehicle was unaware of the accused’s vehicle and was only alerted when her car was hit from the rear of the first vehicle.”
‘Speech was slurred’
The court heard that Howls then got out of his van and said he was “sorry”.
Drivers noticed that Howls’ “speech was slurred and he appeared under the influence of alcohol”.
As police were called, the builder then ran off into a nearby field, forcing officers to search for him and bring him back to the crash site.
Police officers also noted that Howls was slurring his words and that he had alcohol on his breath.
After arresting Howls, they then took him to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he was checked over but refused to give police a urine sample.
Howls ‘panicked’ and ran into field
Howls admitted one charge of driving without due care or attention and causing an accident.
He also admitted a second charge of failing to provide his details following a crash and an additional charge of failing to provide a specimen of urine to police.
His defence agent Michael Burnett told the court that Howls “had been drinking” on the day in question.
He added: “My client didn’t see the traffic ahead of him and ploughed into it.
“He was in his work van and panicked and ran into the field as he knew his previous driving record was going to trigger a significant disqualification.
“He is long enough in the tooth to know better.”
‘On the cusp’ of jail sentence
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Howls that “in times gone by” his actions would have caused him to “lose his liberty”.
He added: “You are very much on the cusp but I will refrain from imposing a custodial sentence”.
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Howls, who had a previous road ban, was again disqualified from driving – this time for 6 and a half years.
Sheriff Foulis also ordered Howls, of Wood Cottages in Newmachar, to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and issued a £240 fine.
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