Lochgelly: Drink-driver sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court

Ben Nardone damaged the wall and gate, apologised, then walked off without leaving his name and details.

Nardone, 20, of Plantation Street, Lochgelly, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

The Fife Council worker admitted previously that on June 10, in Cartmore Road, Lochgelly, he drove after consuming excess alcohol.

His reading was 136 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, the legal limit being 67 milligrammes.

He also admitted that he drove a car without due care and attention, mounted a footpath and collided with a wall.

He then failed to stop and provide his name and address and also failed to report the accident to police.

Depute fiscal Jill Currie said that, at 11pm, a resident in Cartmore Street heard a loud bang and went outside to investigate.

He saw a car had crashed into his neighbour’s wall with Nardone and another male standing in the street.

Nardone said he had been the driver and, at this time, the woman whose wall had been damaged arrived home.

Nardone apologised to her but then wandered off with his companion without leaving his name.

The police later tracked down Nardone at around 2am at his home.

Defence solicitor Alan Davie said his client had consumed five pints of lager at a local pub having driven there.

“He didn’t intend to drive home initially but later he says he felt okay to drive even though he doesn’t live far and could have walked home.

“He’s made the incredibly foolish decision to drive.”

“One of the neighbours at the scene heard him saying: ‘My dad will kill me. I’m a waste of space. I’ve let them down.’ He didn’t go home initially because he was ashamed to face his parents.”

Sheriff Martin Edington told Nardone: “We’ve heard it was only a 10-minute walk home from the pub but you made this really stupid decision to drive.”

He imposed a 12-month driving ban, a fine of £515 and compensation of £660 for damage to the wall and gate.