Drink-driver who was six times the limit fell asleep in A9 layby

A driver spotted weaving around the A9 on a busy Friday morning was found to be six times the legal alcohol limit.

James Jack, from Birnam, was travelling south on the treacherous road at 9am when witnesses spotted him straying between lanes.

As police officers closed in, the 58-year-old drifted into a layby and promptly fell asleep.

He was still there, behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi Lancer, when a patrol vehicle arrived.

The police witnesses reported that Jack was smelling strongly of alcohol and unsteady on his feet and was incapable of understanding simple questions when roused.

Perth Sheriff Court heard he had been arrested and taken to the city’s police headquarters where he gave a reading of 130 mics. The legal alcohol limit is just 22 mics.

Despite the breath test results, he said: “I only agree that I pulled over and fell asleep”.

Solicitor Cliff Culley accepted his client had committed a similar offence in 2013 but called on the court to consider an alternative to custody.

“He knows his behaviour has been a disgrace and he is extremely remorseful,” the agent said.

“Mr Jack is deeply ashamed that he put others at risk.

“He has stopped drinking and, with help, he does not intend to drink again.”

Jack, of Telford Gardens in Birnam, admitted drink-driving on the southbound A9, near to the Inveralmond roundabout in Perth, on October 20 this year.

He was banned from the road for 42 months and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a community payback order.