Driving instructor banned from roads

A driving instructor who smashed into a parked car and then drove off was four times over the alcohol limit.

The owner of the parked car watched in horror as drunken former airman David Bone mounted the kerb and then slammed into his vehicle.

A court was told Bone would lose his job as an off-road driving instructor as a result of being banned from driving for 18 months and fined 500 pounds.

Bone, 53, from Perth, admitted driving carelessly and colliding with and damaging a parked car in Castle View, Perth, on 3 March. He also admitted drink driving 88/22mics.

Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney told Perth Sheriff Court: "Around midnight the witness was standing looking out their bedroom window and they saw the accused sitting in the driver's seat of his vehicle.

"He watched the vehicle begin to move forward onto the road. The vehicle mounted the kerb and then veered back towards the road and collided with the witness's stationary vehicle.

"The vehicle drove off but then returned a short time later. The witness goes out and sees the accused staggering beside his vehicle.

"He doesn't seem to know he's hit the other car and there's a smell of alcohol coming from him, so the police are contacted and they trace him a short time later."

Solicitor Mike Tavendale, defending, said: "He has been advised he will lose his employment as a driving instructor for off-road vehicles, given the inevitable disqualification.

"He spent 23 years in the RAF and did a number of tours abroad before coming out in 2005. Although the reading might suggest otherwise, he advises me has no issues with alcohol."

Mr Tavendale said Bone had been arguing with his wife and had initially gone out to sit in the car to cool down, before returning to the house.

However, he said the argument flared up again so he returned to the car and this time decided to drive off.

"For the life of him he doesn't know how he managed to drive the car," Mr Tavendale said. "From what he recalls he just wanted to get away from the situation.

"He travelled no more than 30 metres at most before returning. He was sitting in the car when the police returned. Since coming out of the forces most of his jobs have been driving.

"It is inevitably going to have a very severe effect on him. He has asked me to apologise profusely. It was a moment of madness. It is going to have a catastrophic effect on his work life."

Sheriff Keith O'Mahoney said: "It is unfortunate that a man of your age finds himself in court for the first time in his life on such serious matters. You were four times over the limit.