A Romanian lorry driver was caught drink-driving after arriving at the Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline.

However, Petrica Angherlache avoided an immediate ban when he appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court accompanied by a translator.

Angherlache claims he only had one beer and the court heard a suggestion that it could have been mouthwash that put him over the limit.

Angherlache, 42, of Roberts Road, Edlington, Doncaster, admitted that on May 30, in Amazon Way, Dunfermline, he drove a lorry having consumed excess alcohol.

His reading was 27 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 22 microgrammes.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said Angherlache had driven his HGV into the Amazon deliveries yard at around 9.45pm.

A member of staff spoke to him and could immediately smell alcohol from his breath. An Amazon worker removed the keys from the lorry and the police were contacted.

Defence solicitor Peter Robertson said his client had only moved the lorry a short distance into the depot having parked it up outside earlier. A few hours earlier he had been dining with a friend and had one Stella Artois beer.

“He then used the mouthwash Listerine and swallowed it,” added Mr Robertson.

The solicitor said Angherlache has to keep his job in order to stay in this country and he would be seeking an absolute discharge, which would mean no conviction is recorded.

This would be on the grounds of the hardship a ban would cause for Angherlache’s family in Romania as he sends them money.

Sheriff Susan Duff set a proof hearing on August 1. A driving ban was not imposed ahead of that hearing.