Macduff man banned from roads after drug-driving the morning after

A teenager who was discovered to be driving under the influence of drugs after taking them the night before has been banned from the roads.

Arran Paterson (19) of Bath Street, Macduff, appeared at Banff Sheriff Court facing one charge.

He pleaded guilty to driving a car while unfit through drink or drugs on June 23, 2024 on the B9031 Gardenstown to Macduff road, near the junction with the A98.

Fiscal depute Anne Mann told the court Paterson was driving his car at about 8.15am that day.

She outlined police officers were attending an unrelated incident and saw Paterson driving after earlier seeing the car parked in a lay-by.

She said officers approached the accused and could see he was unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred and he was making involuntary shaking movements.

The fiscal depute told the court that Paterson informed the officers that he had consumed the drug mephedrone, which is more commonly known as MCAT.

He had a negative roadside breath test for alcohol or drugs. He was then taken to the police station where a medical examiner assessed he was unfit to drive and he was cautioned and charged.

Paterson’s solicitor Stuart Beveridge said it was a morning after incident.

He told the court: “He had been at a friend’s house on the Saturday night and it was the first time he had taken MCAT.

“He was going to stay at his friends house on the Sunday but a situation arose where he had to leave.”

Sheriff Robert McDonald disqualified Paterson from driving for one year and ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work within six months.