A driver plagued by depression crashed on the M6 near Shap while high on cocaine in a bid to take his own life, a court has heard.
Details of Andrew Paton’s troubles personal circumstances emerged as he appeared in front of magistrates following an incident on a southbound section of the motorway at around 8.30pm on July 31 this year.
Police responding to reports of a crash close to Junction 39 found 41-year-old Paton in the driver’s seat of a vehicle which had come to rest in lane three.
He failed a drug swab test and later provided a blood sample which was analysed and revealed he was six times the legal limit for cocaine, and 10 times the limit for a breakdown product of the class A substance.
Paton admitted two drug-driving charges today when the Carlisle court heard he had told his solicitor, Jeff Smith, the crash was a desperate bid to take his own life.
Of Paton, who was said to have recently started a new job, Mr Smith added: “He lives with his parents. One can only hope that will provide him with the help and support that he needs at this very difficult time.
He is extremely relieved he did not hurt anybody else in that attempt to take his own life.
”Magistrates initially asked a probation officer to produce a background pre-sentence “stand down” report in the hope they could hand down their punishment on the day.
“But after it emerged Paton was under the care of a psychiatrist due to his ongoing issues, the case was adjourned.
Paton, of Bedcow View, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, is set to be sentenced at Carlisle magistrates’ court on January 28.
In the meantime, he was handed an interim driving ban and told this was for the safety of yourself and the safety of the travelling public.
