Dundee man led police on car chase so slow a tailback formed
Steven Moran - 40 - was four times over the drink drive limit.
A Dundee man who led cops on a city centre chase so slow that a tailback formed behind the police car following him has avoided jail.
Steven Moran drove off after a boozy night out with his sister broke down in acrimony.
Cops found him driving round Dundee's inner ring road - four times the drink drive limit and barely moving - and tried to pull him over.
But the 40-year-old was oblivious to their flashing lights and siren, and only pulled over when he got a puncture.
Fiscal depute Sue Ruta told Dundee Sheriff Court police had been tipped off to Moran driving under the influence around 10pm on September 17.
She said: "Ten minutes later two police officers on patrol on East Dock Street saw the accused's Vauxhall Corsa straddling the centre line of the carriageway.
"The officers followed the accused to Marketgait in a marked police vehicle.
"Due to the manner of his driving and the earlier call to the police the officers activated blue flashing lights in an attempt to stop him but the accused continude to drive on to East Marketgait.
"Further attempts were made to stop the accused when officers activated their siren.
"The accused was driving at a very low speed, causing other drivers to slow, but he failed to stop."
Moran eventually stopped his car on the road at Ladywell roundabout - around 100 yards from Dundee's police HQ.
Cops approached and gave him a breath test.
Moran pleaded guilty on summary complaint to a charge of drink driving on September 17 in East Dock Street and North Marketgait, Dundee.
He was found with a reading of 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 22.
Defence solicitor Stuart Hamilton said: "To say he is appalled at his actions is an understatement - he is very much against drink driving.
"He normally abstains from alcohol but went out with his sister.
"There have been family issues which neither of them have been coping very well with and they got into an argument and he got into his car to drive home.
"He says it was totally out of character."
Sheriff Richard McFarlane imposed a community payback order with 135 hours unpaid work and nine months supervision.
Moran was also banned from driving for 18 months.
The sheriff said: "This was an ill advised journey and people were so concerned they passed that information to police.
"When they caught up with you - if I can put it that way - there were concerns about the way you were driving.
"Looking at the appropriate disposal I am prepared to discuss an alternative to custody."