Sheriff forgets drink-driving ban

The court heard that Dundas was so drunk he struggled to stand

A drunk driver has been caught three times over the limit for the second time in eight days - after a sheriff forgot to ban him from driving.

William Dundas, 50, committed the first offence in a supermarket carpark on 24 April. He appeared in court but was not banned while he waited to be sentenced.

He was then caught again on 2 May after driving several miles looking for somewhere to buy drink.

His alcohol level was found to be even higher than it had been the first time.

On 25 April, Dundas, from Methven, admitted in court to driving a car at a Tesco in Perth while his alcohol reading was 104 mics. The limit is 35 mics.

He also admitted stealing four bottles of vodka from the store and having a combat knife with him but was cleared of assaulting a shop worker by driving at him.

The self-confessed alcoholic was seen getting in his car before moving in the direction of a shop worker but came to a halt when he smashed into a bollard.

Can I just say I am extremely sorry? I am totally ashamed of myself William Dundas

He was granted bail by Sheriff Michael Fletcher but no interim ban was imposed and he got back behind the wheel on 2 May.

On that day Dundas was reported to the police by shop staff when he drove off after they decided he was too drunk to buy alcohol.

Tayside Police officers discovered his car veering along the A85 and watched as he weaved into the oncoming lane several times.

He was seen taking a bend on the wrong side of the road and narrowly missed crashing into a lorry before the officers managed to bring him to a halt.

Dundas was so drunk he was slurring his speech, struggled to stand up and was cut and bruised from falling over drunk the previous evening.

In court he said: "Can I just say I am extremely sorry? I am totally ashamed of myself. I am a recovering alcoholic."

Sheriff Foulis deferred sentence and banned Dundas ad interim.

Dundas had previously been banned for 27 months for drink driving in July 2003.