A football fan wrote his car off after crashing into a parked car and flipping on to its roof.
James Lochrie, 45, had been watching Scotland taking on England at the Euros in June last year when he decided to get behind the wheel of his car. He crashed into a parked motor and his own car ended up overturned, leaving him with a head injury.
Lochrie pleaded guilty to careless driving and admitted that he failed to provide a urine sample at the A&E department of the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, on June 19.
The procurator fiscal depute told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 3.20am on Saturday, June 19, the witness was within his home address in Barrhead when he heard a loud crash in the street.
“He looked out of his window and observed an upturned vehicle on its roof.
“The witness attended at the vehicle and helped the accused out of the car. He could smell a strong smell of alcohol coming from the accused’s breath and he was slurring his words.
“The police attended and observed the accused next to the car.
“Witnesses informed officers of the prior events.
“The accused was required to identify who the driver of the car was and he replied ‘Me’
“On speaking with the accused, police could also smell a strong smell of alcohol from the accused and that he was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet.
“Another witness attended and stated the accused had struck their vehicle.
“At 3.46am, the accused was required to provide a specimen of breath which he complied with and failed. At 3.48am, the accused was arrested and he replied ‘I never hit that car, it hit me.’
“Due to his head injury, the accused was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley for treatment. At 5.30am the accused was requested to provide a urine sample by police and he refused and provided no reason why.
“Just before 6am, the accused was within the hospital and was cautioned and charged.”
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Defence agent Rhona Lynch explained that the incident was “very out of character” for the father of two who had been drinking alcohol with his brother prior to crashing his car.
She told the court: “Mr Lochrie had been watching the Scotland V England football match and had been drinking with his brother before he foolishly decided to drive.
“It was a parked vehicle he had a collision with and his vehicle ended up on its side.
“He suffered injuries following the crash and accepts that he failed to provide a urine sample, this was a due to combination of being intoxicated and having been in the accident, but he understands that’s not a reasonable excuse.
“His car was a complete write-off following the collision.
“He fully regrets his actions.”
Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill said: “You’ve brought all this on yourself.
“You got in a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and crashed your car.
“You’re extremely lucky the consequences weren’t much worse for yourself and for others.”
Sheriff Gill banned Lochrie, of Neilston, from driving for 16 months and imposed a fine of £700 to be paid at £40 per month.
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