An oyster farmer who stole and crashed a workmate’s car after being sent home for drinking was banned from driving today.
Sebastian Woznica, 23, was disqualified for three years and fined £600 at Oban Sheriff Court.
The court heard that Woznica, originally from Poland, had lost his job as a result of the incident.
Woznica, of Caravan 1, Shore Cottage, Barcaldine, pleaded guilty to stealing a car and drink driving in Connel village on March 17.
The court heard that another Polish worker at Caledonian Oyster Company had parked his black Citroen car there and went to work, taking the keys in his fleece pocket.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “That morning it was noted that the accused was under the influence of alcohol and was asked to leave work as a result of that.
“Later a black Citroen was was seen in a crashed position on the A85 Oban to Perth road at Connel.”
Woznica was seen nearby acting suspiciously and the police were called. Mr McGinty said: “There was a foot chase across a field. The accused was detained and said in broken English, ‘It’s not my car I crash,’. He failed a roadside breath test.”
The owner of the car was contacted and found that his keys had been taken from his fleece pocket.
Solicitor Jane Thomson said Woznica had lost his job as a result of the incident and was willing to seek help for his alcohol problem.
Sheriff Ruth Anderson told him: “You made a mess of things. You lost your job. You clearly have a problem with alcohol. You are a young man, you are a hard worker. You will need to do something about your drinking or it will ruin your life.”
