Coked up driver crashed his car in Polmont

Andrew Smith (52) appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday having pled guilty to driving while on drugs in Salmon Inn Road, Polmont and Main Street and Collier Road, Redding on January 1.

He had 74 microgrammes of cocaine per litre of blood when the legal limit is 10 microgrammes.

Sarah Smith, procurator fiscal depute, said: “ It was 3.40am and police were on mobile patrol in the area when they saw the vehicle driven by the accused. Officers activated the blue light indicating the vehicle to stop but it immediately began to increase its speed.

“Police then followed in the direction the accused had driven off in. In Salmon Inn Road they saw the vehicle had crashed into a roadside barrier. A search was carried out and located the accused nearby.

“He identified himself as having been the driver and was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital to be checked over. Police checked his vehicle and found drugs paraphernal.

“The accused tested positive for cocaine.”

The court heard Smith, who has a drug problem, had separated from his partner shortly before the incident and had been living in his car.

Sheriff Derek Livingston banned Smith, 15 Clackmannan Road, Alloa, from driving for 16 months and made him subject to a restriction of liberty order to stay in his home between 7pm and 7am for the next four months.