A Paisley man has been banned from driving after a concerned member of the public was forced to call the emergency services when they found him sleeping behind the wheel of his Audi.
When police officers found David Hendry sitting in the driver’s seat of his car in the afternoon of June 9, this year, he was struggling to stay awake, drooling and slurring his words.
Hendry, 35, who has a previous conviction of drink-driving from five years ago, admitted he was in charge of an Audi A3 in Orchard Street in the town while unfit through drink or drugs.
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Prosecutor, Tracy Wright told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Shortly after 12.45pm, on June 9, a member of the public contacted the emergency services due to finding a male in a vehicle unable to be woken.
“The ambulance service was contacted and the police attended.
“Officers found the accused in the driver’s seat with the ignition running.
“While speaking to the accused, officers observed him to fall asleep, drool, slur his words and that he had restricted pupils and that he was unable to maintain focus.
“He was arrested and taken to Greenock police office where a force medical practitioner was called.
“At 4.30pm, a doctor carried out an assessment where he concluded that the accused’s behaviour could be as a result of a drug.
“No blood specimen was taken but he was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
Rhona Lynch, defence solicitor, told the court Hendry had “expressed remorse.”
Mrs Lynch explained how Hendry had suffered a “horrendous experience” when he was 16-years-old, stating: “As a result of this, he suffers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and unfortunately found solace in drugs and used cocaine.
“This incident is part of his acceptance that he has a drug problem and he is now seeking help and assistance from his
GP.
“At the time of this incident, he was also on prescribed medication from his GP and he accepts he shouldn’t have been taking illicit substances when on this medication.
“He is at the start of his recovery journey now has plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.”
Sheriff Laura Mundell fined Hendry of Camphill Court in the town, £320 and ordered he pays this at the rate of £20 per week.
In addition, Sheriff Mundell banned Hendry from driving for eight months.
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