A man who drove on pavements and crashed into a wall was found “foaming at the mouth” by police.
Neil Bannerman, 41, was at the wheel while unfit to drive through drink or drugs, with Emma Paterson in the passenger seat.
The vehicle repeatedly mounted the pavement on Crown Street in Aberdeen and ploughed into a bollard and a wall.
The pair both got out before Paterson, 34, got in the driver’s seat and attempted to restart the engine.
But a member of the public confiscated the keys before they could escape, and when police turned up they found the duo “staggering about” and “foaming at the mouth”.
‘Slurring their words, staggering about’
Court papers stated that the dangerous driving “endangered the lives of members of the public”.
Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 4pm on November 1 last year.
She said: “Various witnesses observed the car being driven on and off pavements on Crown Street.
“The vehicle was observed to knock over a bollard in the street and came to a sudden stop against a wall.”
Both then got out of the car and stood in the road for a few minutes before Paterson got into the driver’s seat and “tried to restart the engine”.
Ms Kerr added: “Before police arrived, a witness removed the car keys due to concerns the accused were going to try to drive away.
“Police received various calls and attended and saw both accused appeared to be under the influence, slurring their words, staggering about and foaming at the mouth.”
‘I haven’t even had my methadone today’
The pair both supplied negative breath tests for alcohol and Paterson told police officers: “I haven’t even had my methadone today”.
They were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary due to their intoxicated state.
Bannerman, of South Esplanade West, Aberdeen, later told officers: “I did something silly and crashed. I took valium yesterday”.
He admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs and dangerous driving, endangering the lives of members of the public.
And Paterson, of the same address, admitted being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs, and attempting to use a vehicle without insurance.
‘There’s no excuse for the driving’
Defence agent Jenny Logan, representing Paterson, said: “Prior to this, they had been at a house party.
“She doesn’t remember what she took or did not take. She’s embarrassed and very apologetic. She is now clean from drinking and taking drugs.”
Solicitor John McLeod, appearing for Bannerman – a hotel porter – said his client may now lose his employment.
“There’s no excuse for the driving,” he added.
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin deferred sentencing the couple to allow time for background reports but disqualified them from driving in the meantime.
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