Sheriff hands out lengthy driving ban after Perthshire incident

Feb 23 2010

A DRUNKEN car passenger grabbed the steering wheel and attempted to flee from police officers as they questioned his friend.

The incident led to university graduate Christopher Brennan (28) being fined a total of £750 at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, and banned for driving for a maximum of 21 months, after he admitted a series of motoring offences.

Depute fiscal Charmaine Cole described the February 21 incident on the M90 Perth to Inverkeithing road, near the junction with the A977, as a “most unusual case”.

Ms Cole said: “The accused was originally the passenger when his friend was stopped for speeding by police officers.

“The friend was taken into a police car and given a ticket. The accused got into the driver’s seat, and drove out of the layby and onto themotorway.

“Police followed him, stopped the vehicle, and decided they could smell alcohol on his breath.”

The court was told that Brennan, who lives in Bathgate with his parents, had been for a meal in Crieff before drinking “in a number of establishments in Perth”.

When breathalised, it was revealed Brennan had 103 micrograms of alcohol in his system – almost three times the legal limit.

He pled guilty to the drink-driving charge and also to driving without the appropriate insurance.

Described as “an intelligent man” by his solicitor, he also admitted driving whilst only a provisional licence holder – not being accompanied by somebody qualified – and failing to display ‘L’ plates.

Sheriff George Watt condemned Brennan for putting other motorists at risk, adding: “I don’t know what was going through your mind.”

The driving ban could be reduced by three months if Brennan completes a specialist driver rehabilitation course.