An Aberdeen man has been spared jail after he was caught behind the wheel while more than three times the drink-drive limit.
William Duguid, of Covenanters Drive, appeared at the city’s sheriff court yesterday after previously admitting the offence.
The court heard that a breath test carried out after his arrest showed he had 82micrograms of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22mcgs.
His agent, solicitor Keidra Morrison, told the court that Duguid, who suffers from mental health difficulties, had been struggling to cope with the death of a family member at the time of the offence.
She said that the father had been taking prescription drugs as well as alcohol in an effort to deal with his grief and depression.
The court also heard Duguid had benefited greatly when he was given a supervision order.
The lawyer said he was currently out of work as a result of his recent difficulties but hoped to get a job in the near future as he had another child on the way.
Sheriff Christine McCrossan disqualified Duguid from driving for three years.
She also imposed a community payback order of 240 hours unpaid work to be completed within nine months, and a supervision order lasting 18 months.
The court had previously heard that Duguid was seen driving erratically by police on May 20.
He was pulled over by officers who then saw him stumbling out of his car.
They took him into their patrol car where he tried to escape and had to be restrained.
He was subsequently given a breath test at Kittybrewster police station.
Duguid was also driving the car while disqualified and without insurance.
Sheriff McCrossan said she would have no choice but to lock him up should he re-offend.
She said: “I have given thought to a disposal that will help you to not repeat this type of offence in the future.
“If there’s any breaches of this at all and the matter comes back to court then the only option available to me will be to impose a custodial sentence.”