A Cardenden man gave a relative’s name when caught committing a road traffic offence.

As a result, van driver Bryan Johnstone, 38, of Carden Mill Brae, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on May 19, 2022 at Forth Ports, Port of Rosyth, having been stopped by police following a contravention, using a vehicle which exceeded the weight limit, he gave false details.

As a result, an innocent man was reported to the procurator fiscal and Johnstone attempted to pervert the course of justice.

Depute fiscal Charlotte Allan said that at 3.40pm the van had been stopped by police and found to be over the weight limit. He was asked to provide his details and gave a false name, that of his brother.

The crime was not detected at that stage and Johnstone was allowed to continue on his way with the matter being reported to the fiscal. However, the man named later claimed he was not involved after a letter had been sent to his home.

He told officers he had not been driving the van and did not work for the company involved but that his half-brother did.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said, “He recognises this was stupidity of the first order. He seems to have panicked. His brother was not best pleased to say the least.”

He added that his client had served in the Black Watch for nine years, including tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, which had resulted in mental health issues and possibly PTSD.

Sheriff Susan Duff imposed a community payback order with 150 hours of unpaid work.