A drug-driver who drove on pavements and crashed into a wall has lost his hotel porter job and licence as a result.
Neil Bannerman, 41, was at the wheel while unfit to drive through drink or drugs, with Emma Paterson, 34, in the passenger seat.
The pair both got out before Paterson, who can’t actually drive, got in the driver’s seat and attempted to restart the engine.
But a member of the public confiscated the keys before they could escape, and when police turned up they found the duo “staggering about” and “foaming at the mouth”.
‘Slurring their words, staggering about’
Court papers stated that the dangerous driving “endangered the lives of members of the public”.
Fiscal depute Victoria Kerr told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 4pm on November 1 last year.
She said: “Various witnesses observed the car being driven on and off pavements on Crown Street.
“The vehicle was observed to knock over a bollard in the street and came to a sudden stop against a wall.”
Both then got out of the car and stood in the road for a few minutes before Paterson got into the driver’s seat and “tried to restart the engine”.
Ms Kerr added: “Before police arrived, a witness removed the car keys due to concerns the accused were going to try to drive away.
“Police received various calls and attended and saw both accused appeared to be under the influence, slurring their words, staggering about and foaming at the mouth.”
‘I haven’t even had my methadone today’
The pair both supplied negative breath tests for alcohol and Paterson told police officers: “I haven’t even had my methadone today”.
They were taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary due to their intoxicated state.
Bannerman, of South Esplanade West, Aberdeen, later told officers: “I did something silly and crashed. I took valium yesterday”.
He admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs and dangerous driving.
And Paterson, of the same address, admitted being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs, and attempting to use a vehicle without insurance.
‘He’s lost his job due to press interest’
The pair said they had previously been at a house party with Paterson unable to remember “what she took or did not take”.
After studying background reports her defence agent David Sutherland added: “She has expressed great remorse and relief nobody was hurt.
“It seems she has been abstinent from street drugs and is reliant on methadone.”
Solicitor Sian Grant, appearing for Bannerman, said her client had lost his hotel porter job “as a result of the press interest in the case”.
She said: “It’s clear that Mr Banerman had taken street valium in the course of a few days surrounding this incident.
“He really has no recollection of that matter or of why got behind the wheel. He is extremely embarrassed.”
Mrs Grant added it was an “isolated incident” and that her client had abstained from taking valium since.
Sheriff Eric Brown told Bannerman: “It’s quite clear you were well and truly under the influence. It’s fortunate for you and the public at large that the only thing you struck was a bollard and that you didn’t strike another road user or pedestrian. This was 4pm on Crown Street.”
He handed Paterson a nine-month supervision order and nine penalty points.
Bannerman, meanwhile, received a 20-months roads ban, 225 hours of unpaid work and a 15-month supervision order. He must sit an extended test to regain his licence.
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