A Moray motorist who was banned from driving for life has been jailed after being caught behind the wheel of a stolen car.
George Petrie, from Lossiemouth, took the vehicle from Forres before driving it to the coastal town where he now lives.
Yesterday, the 36-year-old appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to the offences.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins explained police noticed a “strong smell of alcohol” from him when he was arrested on July 10 last year.
However, Petrie refused to leave his cell at Elgin police station to give a sample of breath to be tested.
Mr Corrins said: “The car was parked securely the night before but was reported missing the following day.
“Shortly thereafter it was seen driving in Forres. It was noted it had been involved in a small accident, the accused was in the driver’s seat.”
The motorist was traced by police after the vehicle was found parked.
Defence solicitor Matthew O’Neill said: “When I spoke to him when he appeared from custody, he had no recollection of the incident and didn’t know why he was in the police station.
“He had managed to get himself away from his difficulties for a while but accepts he was drinking alcohol again in July last year.”
Petrie, of Forties Place in Lossiemouth, was jailed for 288 days and given another lifetime driving ban after pleading guilty to stealing a car from Albert Street in Forres, driving in Forres and Lossiemouth with no insurance, driving while disqualified and failing to give two samples of breath without reasonable excuse.
