Hallglen drink driver found slumped in car by police

Not only was David Beattie (40) inebriated while in charge of the vehicle, he was also driving without a licence and insurance.

Beattie appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday having pled guilty to drink driving and driving without a licence and insurance in Rosebank Place, Falkirk on June 26.

He gave a reading of 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Procurator fiscal depute Sean Maher said: “It was 1am and police officers were requested to attend at Rosebank Place. A Nissan Micra was stationary and a male was sitting in the diver’s seat with the engine running.

“His seat belt was unfastened and he appeared to be intoxicated, His speech was slurred and there was strong smell of alcohol. He was removed from the vehicle, arrested and taken to Falkirk Police Station.”

The court heard Beattie has four previous driving while disqualified convictions.

Stephen Biggam, defence solicitor, said: “He’s had a long standing alcohol problem that sometimes gets the better of him and sometimes he gets on top of it.”

Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: “It’s your record that has you in difficulty here. There’s no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.”

Beattie, 56 Garry Place, Hallglen, was sent to prison for six months and banned from driving for three years.