A man swallowed Valium tablets before grabbing his girlfriend's car keys and driving her Mercedes into a ditch. When police officers found David Connelly after the crash they noticed he was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.

Connelly, 52, admitted assaulting his partner and robbing her of the car keys at her home in Airdrie's Thrashbush area on September 29 last year. He also admitted driving carelessly on Coatbridge Road while under the influence.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard the woman had picked up Connelly from hospital and driven him to her home, arriving just before 9pm. She went into the kitchen and made a phone call then realised Valium tablets beside her bed were missing.

Kevin Morrow, prosecuting, said Connelly took the woman's car keys and a struggle followed as sh

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