A man who planned to kill himself after losing his wife, job and home was prevented from taking his own life when he was caught drink driving.

Mark Paddick had decided to commit suicide by jumping from the Tay Bridge.

However, he downed several drinks before setting off from his home in Perth.

The accused... said he was hoping he would be stopped because he was needing help Robbie Brown Depute fiscal

His driving attracted the attention of police, who stopped the 40-year-old on a country road near the village of Rait in Perthshire.

Paddick admitted he was drink driving and told officers he was glad they had stopped him.

At Perth Sheriff Court, the former builder, of Barossa Street, Perth, admitted driving while more than twice the legal drink limit.

He also admitted driving without a full licence on 16 November last year.

Paddick was banned from driving for 18 months, placed on probation for two years and ordered to attend the Perth Drink-Driving Project.

Pulled over

The court heard that Paddick became depressed after losing his wife, his job and his home within a few weeks.

He was half way to the Tay Bridge when his car was seen by police veering back and forth across the road near Rait.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said: "It was followed and eventually the accused pulled over.

He was going through a very difficult period at the time John McLaughlin Solicitor

"The accused handed the car keys to the officers and said he was hoping he would be stopped because he was needing help."

Solicitor John McLaughlin said: "His comment to the police was very appropriate.

"He was going through a very difficult period at the time."

He said his client's relationship with his former partner was unlikely to be resumed.

Mr McLaughlin added: "He did over-indulge.

"When he was driving he was fairly suicidal and that was another reason he was glad the police pulled him over."