An Aberdeenshire mechanic who moved a car to avoid falling out with his neighbours was caught over the drink-drive limit.
Christoper Watson was also already disqualified from driving when police found him behind the wheel on August 29 2021.
The 40-year-old mechanic was pulled over on Sett Road in Blackburn and given a breath test, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
It detected 50mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the limit being 22mcg.
Fiscal depute Sean Ambrose explained that officers had been alerted to Watson driving while under the influence earlier that day and spotted him around 5pm near his home address.
Watson pleaded guilty to one charge of driving while under the influence and one charge of driving without a licence.
‘Turned to alcohol as a crutch’
According to defence agent Liam McAllister, Watson had just been moving the car to “stop a neighbour dispute”.
Mr McAllister argued that the street was a dead-end – meaning that Watson was not driving on a public road.
He explained that the dad had “turned to alcohol as a crutch” and realised he needed help.
“He knows that he has blown his chance of getting back to working on a full-time basis by his actions,” he added.
Sheriff Edward Gilroy described these circumstances as “unusual” but explained that because Watson was caught driving without a licence he would still face the minimum ban.
Watson, of Sett Road, Blackburn, was banned from the roads for three years. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen and the latest crime and breaking incidents, join our new Facebook group.
