Tried to drive car after taking '˜legal' high

Ross Fowler (37) was so out of it after taking the new psychoactive substance (NPS) he had no recollection of the incident at all.

Fowler appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court on May 26 having previously admitted driving while unfit through drink or drugs and driving without insurance in Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, on May 6 last year.

Procurator fiscal depute Ann Orr said: “It was 8.30am and the accused was seen in the service station apparently under the influence of something. He got into a vehicle and drove away.”

People noticed he was driving very erratically, swerving on the road, and police were called.

The court heard Fowler was a heroin addict but had taken steps himself to deal with that addiction.

Andy Bryson, defence solicitor, said: “It was a legal high he had taken and it was his brother’s vehicle and his brother was in the car at the time. He is at a complete loss as to why he ended up doing this.

“He has had a heroin problem and is currently not in the best of health, requiring operations on his hips and knees.”

Sheriff John Mundy said: “You have a record for this sort of offending.”

Fowler, 23 West Bridge Street, Falkirk, was banned from driving for three years and placed on a supervised community payback order for 12 months with the condition he complete 150 hours of unpaid work within six months.

nForth Valley Addictions Support and Counselling (ASC) offers help to addicts. Visit www.asc.me.uk or call (01324) 874969 for help.