A pubgoer spied struggling to get into his Mini Cooper at 2am was caught with the engine running whilst more than three times the legal limit.
Tomahawk McGinn claimed he’d just gone to his car to collect a friend’s belongings – although when police found him the headlights were on, the engine was running and he was wearing a seatbelt, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Kate Scarborough said McGinn, 33, was caught at 1.50am on April 2 this year after uniformed officers on mobile patrol saw him staggering towards a blue car on Hadden Street in Aberdeen.
Had lights, engine and seatbelt on
“He was stumbling towards a Mini Cooper and was observed struggling to get into the vehicle,” she said.
“By the time police caught up to where the vehicle was the ignition had been started, the engine was running and the lights were on.
“The accused was found in the driving seat with his seatbelt on and appeared to be under the influence.
“He was slurring his speech and smells of alcohol were coming from him.”
He was taken to Kittybrewster custody suite where a drink-driving test showed 71mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 22ncg.
McGinn admitted being drunk in charge of a vehicle.
Defence agent Debbie Ginniver told the court the full-time bicycle courier had been drinking with a friend in the city centre and returned to his car to retrieve his pal’s belongings.
New driver will stick to his bike
“He advises me today that the conviction today will not affect his employment which he has held for six years,” the solicitor said.
“He only just passed his test within the last year. He will lose his licence today whether he is given points or a disqualification.
“He is full of remorse over his actions. This behaviour is not going to be repeated.”
Miss Ginniver added that McGinn, a first offender, had been driven to court by his mother after taking the “sensible decision” not to drive himself knowing his licence was likely to be lost.
Sheriff Eric Brown handed McGinn, of Links View, Aberdeen, a £320 fine and 10 penalty points.
New drivers are automatically banned if they tot up six or more points within two years of passing their test.
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