A man who sparked a massive search after crashing his car in the middle of the night and abandoning it appeared at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday.
Lukasz Siwirski, 32, 110 George Street, Oban, pleaded guilty to driving carelessly on the A816 Oban to Lochgilphead road near Kilmore on January 9.
He lost control of his car and it left the road, mounted an embankment, rolled onto its side and came to a rest blocking the southbound carriageway of the road.
Siwirski also admitted driving without insurance or an MOT and using a car which was incorrectly registered, in that the name and address of the keeper was not recorded.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “It was 1.20am in the early hours when a witness was driving south from Oban near Kilmore. She came across a vehicle partially crossing the carriageway, with its front in a ditch and the back across the road.
“She slowed down and saw the accused crawling from the vehicle and holding a mobile phone in the air as if trying to get a phone signal.
“She drove passed the scene and turned back to see if he needed any assistance, but he was gone. She called the police and ambulance.
“There was an extensive search for the accused involving the helicopter, police dog unit, coastguard fire service and ambulance. This went on for the majority of the night.”
Siwirski was eventually located, safe and well.
Sheriff John Herald told the accused: “I want to learn more about you before taking a decision on this matter. Sentence deferred for a criminal justice social work report.”
He added: “This was a tremendous waste of public money.”
The case will call again on August 16.