A Moray motorist was caught nearly six times over the drink-driving limit after a New Year vodka binge.
Mieczyslaw Rys, of Forres, narrowly avoided a prison sentence at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday after being caught drunk behind the wheel for the second time.
The 60-year-old had been celebrating the New Year in his caravan before deciding to purchase a new gas bottle on January 2.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins explained that neighbours at the Mundole Caravan Park immediately called the police when they saw Rys get into his car.
He said: “Police made their way to the caravan park, but could not see a vehicle at the accused’s address.
“They then see a car coming into the park. They then do another circuit and go past the accused’s caravan again and see a car is now parked there.”
Rys initially denied he had got behind the wheel to officers, but later admitted the offence at Elgin Sheriff Court.
Defence solicitor Brent Lockie pleaded that his client should be given a “last chance” to avoid prison despite the high alcohol level.
Rys, of Rowan Road in Forres, was banned from the roads for 43 months and ordered to do 270 hours of unpaid work after admitting driving with 129mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 22mg.