A ROSYTH dad who drove under the influence of Valium has been banned from driving for 13 months and fined £500.

Kevin Thompson, 42, of Whinnyburn Place, Rosyth, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He previously admitted that on July 19, on Queensferry Road, driving without insurance and also, on October 4, at Engineering Agencies, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, he stole a battery charger and between his home address and that road drove a car when unfit to drive through drink or drugs. He also used a vehicle which was registered incorrectly.

Sheriff Alastair Brown said: "What gets sold as Valium is often not Valium.

"It's often another drug which is associated with a high amount of deaths in Tayside and Fife.

"I am told you do not intend to take it again, that would be a good idea because the substance is typically filled with all manner of things and you do not know what you are getting.

"People who drive vehicles under the influence, kill."

Depute fiscal Laura McManus said Thompson was seen driving by police witnesses when he was not insured and in a manner which was concerning.

She said one driver was going over speed bumps when Thompson came into contact with her vehicle.

At Engineering Agencies, Thompson went into the shop and spoke to a member of staff who was concerned by his behaviour. It emerged that he stole a battery charger because it fell out his pocket and the police were contacted. They later traced him and were also concerned with his presentation. They noted that he didn't smell of alcohol but there was concern for his state.

A doctor checked him over who advised that he was maybe under the influence of drugs, the court was told.

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi told the court that her client was under the influence of Valium when these offences took place.

"He had never taken that substance before and Mr Thompson has truly learned his lesson," she said.

"He resides with his wife and children.

"He has no intention of taking the substance again and clearly takes responsibility for his actions, despite not really remembering what happened.

"He provides care for his mother and is now relying on public transport which will have an impact."