A dad crashed his work van into a fence post while suffering from a lack of sleep after spending the night in hospital with his twins.
John-Michael Paterson, known as Geddes, was banned from driving for 28 months after pleading guilty to dangerous driving at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday.
The 28-year-old had been “unsuccessfully balancing” fatherhood with his work and ended up taking to the road “in no fit state”.
After he was arrested, the shattered father admitted he had got through the day on coffee and crisps, and began falling asleep in the police car.
Geddes, from Community Way in Lossiemouth, admitted colliding with a fence post at a field on the A952 Mintlaw to the Toll of Birness route after being observed committing a string of other offences.
Fiscal Ruaridh McAllister said: “The accused was still attempting to reverse the van from where it was impaled on the post when police arrived.”
Solicitor Ben Thom said Geddes was functioning on very little sleep having been at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with his twins – one of whom have a brain condition.
He said: “Mr Geddes had twin children in ARI at the time and had been with them until 2am before starting work at 6am.
“He has five other children at home and is the sole earner for the household, which he is not balancing successfully.”
Sheriff Christine McCrossan also imposed 200 hours of unpaid work.