A north-east brewery worker has admitted he thought it safe to drive despite taking so much cocaine he later had four seizures.

Police officers had to hand Jamie Youngson into the care of an ambulance crew after stopping him on Peterhead’s Constitution Street on April 5 this year.

He was clearly under the influence of an “unknown substance” and was described in the town’s sheriff court as “drowsy and sleepy”.

Attempts to have the 26-year-old carry out a fitness to drive test were swiftly abandoned with officers fearing he would injure himself.

And they then contacted the Scottish Ambulance Service as Youngson’s condition worsened, leading to his urgent hospitalisation.

Depute Fiscal Ruaridh McAlister told the court: “At around 10.30pm police officers pulled over the car due to concerns about his condition.

“It was clear he was on an unknown substance as he was drowsy and sleepy.

“Officers tried to test his ability to drive but due to his condition they thought he might injure himself.

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“An ambulance was called and he was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

“He had four seizures and told ambulance staff he had taken cocaine.”

Mr McAlister said cocaine had also found in the central console of the Renault Scenic he was driving.

During his appearance at court, Youngson, of Alwyn Wynd, St Fergus, pled guilty to driving under the influence of drink or drugs and being in possession of a class A drug.

His not guilty pleas to two charges of being in possession of class B drugs were accepted by the Crown.

Defence agent Sam Milligan said the incident had come as a “shock” to Youngson and his loved ones.

He said: “Mr Youngson has taken a shake to himself with the support of his family and Turning Point Scotland.

“He is in full-time employment in a brewery.

“He has to accept that he made an error of judgement in choosing to drive on that evening.”

Sheriff Christine McCrossan banned Youngson from driving with immediate effect and deferred sentence to allow the drug support charity Turning Point to prepare a report on him for the court.

He will return to the dock in January.