A 32-YEAR-OLD man who drove through a road block after taking valium has been banned.

Anton Foley, of Haig Avenue, Kirkcaldy, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on September 18, 2020, on the A909 Cowdenbeath to Kelty road near to Netherton Farm, he drove a van when unfit through drink or drugs.

He also admitted that at Dunfermline police station, he failed to provide a specimen of blood.

Depute fiscal Jill Currie said the Cowdenbeath to Kelty road had been closed for investigations to be carried out following a collision.

Despite this, Foley drove into the cordoned-off area and police saw him approaching the crash scene in his Renault Trafic van.

Officers speaking to Foley noticed his speech was slurred. He had a zero reading for a breath test and provided a negative drugs test but the officers were still of the opinion he was under the influence.

Foley was taken to Dunfermline police station where he consented initially to a medical examination but then changed his mind.

Defence solicitor Calum Harris said his client works a carpet fitter and was driving back from a job when the incident occurred.

He said his client had been taking valium the night before and into the early morning.

“He accepts that under no circumstances should he have been driving,” he added. “He was struggling with alcohol and drugs misuse at the time.”

Sheriff David Hall banned Foley from driving for three years and fined him £640.