Graeme Winchester was almost four times over the limit

Graeme Winchester was arrested in Errol last November by officers from Tayside Police, where he used to work.

The 59-year-old was reported by his estranged wife, who had realised he had been drinking after a telephone conversation.

He has admitted drink driving at Perth Sheriff Court. He lost his licence for 18 months and was fined �600.

The court heard Winchester was spotted staggering towards his van by a mobile police patrol.

The officers then watched him reverse onto a main road, and found him parked outside his home a few minutes later, smelling of alcohol and unsteady on his feet.

Problem with alcohol

His defence claimed he had driven to Errol at the request of his daughter, who was upset and had wanted to see him urgently.

The court also heard Winchester, who now lives in Prestonpans, East Lothian, had a long-term problem with alcohol which led to him becoming estranged from his wife Morag.

He had previously been ordered by a court to undergo alcohol counselling after he was convicted of harassing his wife.

Winchester admitted driving in Errol while he was almost four times over the legal limit on 16 November last year.