A young fisherman from Lithuania has appeared in court in the Shetland Islands after helping himself to a car while drunk.
Edvardas Pigu, who lives on the weather-beaten islands to the north of Scotland, was fined £600 and disqualified from driving for 18 months, meaning that he will now struggle to find a cheap car insurance deal in the future.
Appearing at Lerwick Sheriff Court, the 18-year-old told how he got into the car, which had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition, after a night on the booze. He travelled a short distance in the stolen car before a passing taxi driver became concerned at his erratic driving and called the police.
Officers rushed to the scene and found the car abandoned in the road. A search of the local area found the intoxicated Lithuanian staggering about nearby.
Pigu, of Haldane Burgess Crescent, Lerwick, admitting taking the car, driving without motor insurance as well as drink driving when he appeared in front of Sheriff Graeme Napier in court.
Defending Mr Pigu, Tommy Allan told the bench that his client's actions were totally out of character and he regretted the whole incident. He also explained how the teenager had never been in trouble before, neither in the UK or back in his home country.
Mike Page from Hoot Car Insurance Services, the young driver car insurance providers, heard about the case and commented, "Drink driving is dangerous and not only costs lives, but also jeopardises your chances of getting a cheap car insurance quote."