A Lithuanian fish worker has been banned from the roads after being caught driving at more than four times the drink-drive limit.
Ilja Klimusin appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted to being behind the wheel after drinking alcohol on Watermill Road, Fraserburgh on June 17.
The 30-year-old, whose address was given in court papers as North Braehead, Fraserburgh, pleaded guilty to driving above the prescribed limit.
The court was told he crashed into a car after deciding to drive to a nearby garage to buy cigarettes.
When he was breathalysed his reading stated he had 91 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22mg.
Fiscal depute Ruaridh McAlister said Klimusin’s vehicle “veered off” Watermill Road and hit another car.
He said he ran off after witnesses asked if he was alright and noticed he was “unsteady.”
Mr McAlister said: “It was around 1.40am on June 17 when the vehicle veered off the road and collided with another car.
“People nearby went to see if he was OK. On speaking to the accused they noticed he was unsteady on his feet and ran off. He was later traced by police.
“Breathalyser procedures were carried out and the reading was taken. It was a short time between this and witnesses seeing him.”
Defence agent Sami Milligan said Klimusin had been in Fraserburgh celebrating his partner’s birthday and that he wanted to buy some cigarettes.
He said the offence was a “blatant error of judgement.”
Mr Milligan said: “He had been out celebrating, some might say over celebrating, his girlfriend’s birthday and decided to visit the 24-hour garage to get some cigarettes.
“Clearly he made a blatant error of judgement.”
Mr Milligan said Klimusin was from Lithuania and is working in the fishing industry where earned around £260 a week.
Sheriff Robert McDonald banned Klimusin from driving for 16 months and fined him £480.
