A police officer sped home from a disciplinary meeting with force chiefs at 100mph while more than seven times over the drink-drive limit.

Detective Simon Reader, 45, crashed during the 250-mile journey home after spending most of the previous day binge drinking and topping up in the car with a bottle of gin.

Countless motorists had to swerve out of Reader's way as he weaved in and out of traffic at high speed on the dual carriageway.

Reader admitted dangerous and drunken driving but walked free from court on Wednesday after blaming the stress of his job with Police Scotland for having a mental breakdown.

Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said: "What sort of message does this send out to the public? The fact he got away relatively scot-free highlights our soft-touch justice system.

"The public expect police officers to be responsible and lead by example, not get involved in binges that could lead to others being injured or losing their lives."

Labour's Graeme Pearson, a former senior police officer, said: "Reader let down every officer in the country with his reckless behaviour. He can count himself extremely fortunate not to be sitting in a prison cell tonight."

Perth Sheriff Court was told Reader had been called to a meeting with his superiors on January 21 and warned that he could face losing his job because of "health issues".

He then went back to his hotel room and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening drinking "very, very heavily" before setting off from Aberdeen the following morning.

Fiscal depute Robbie Brown told the court that during a 30-mile stretch from Dundee to the M90 near Perth he forced several motorists to swerve to avoid colliding with him.

He said: "He was seen weaving about the inside and outside lanes on the Kingsway and undertaking vehicles.

"On the A90 at Inchture the accused was seen to pass a vehicle at approximately 100mph.

"He was seen slowing to 40mph to weave in and out the traffic flow. Other vehicles had to take evasive action. He continued braking harshly and weaving about.

"A number of collisions were narrowly avoided. On the M90 he was seen travelling at 100mph in the inside lane. He was overtaking and had to brake sharply because he hadn't reacted to approaching another car.

"He swerved and lost control, mounting the central reservation, striking the barrier and crossing both lanes before coming to rest partly on the hard shoulder and partly on the lane facing north."

Mr Brown said Reader initially gave a breath sample at the roadside which measured 157ml/mg, more than seven times the 22ml/mg limit. He subsequently refused to give a breath test.

Reader, of Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, admitted driving dangerously on the Kingsway, the A90 Perth to Dundee road and the M90 Perth to Inverkeithing motorway on January 22 this year. He also admitted failing to provide breath specimens.

Solicitor George Donnelly, defending, told the court his client had been a serving police officer with Grampian Police and then with Police Scotland when all forces were merged.

He said: "He served four years in uniform and transferred to CID for six years. He had an exemplary record and no disciplinary issues at all. That career was something he was extremely proud of and regrets the loss of."

Mr Donnelly said Reader's marriage began to falter and "pressure within work" led to him suffering a nervous breakdown in 2012, adding that he used alcohol as "a coping mechanism."

He added that Reader had been told at his disciplinary hearing that he would likely be dismissed from the force.

Mr Donnelly added: "That impacted deeply upon him. He would seem to have resorted to alcohol.

"He now lives in County Durham with his parents and it was a fateful decision which has brought him here. He does not offer any excuses whatsoever for getting behind the wheel.

"By good fortune, rather than good judgment, no one was injured as a result of this episode. He was so distressed by his behaviour and detention in custody that he has resigned from Police Scotland."

Sheriff William Wood said: "These are very serious matters. One of the few things that can be said to be to your advantage was that no one was hurt. It was at the upper end of recklessness.

"You were intoxicated from Aberdeen and this particular phase took place over 30 miles. I have given serious thought to a custodial sentence. It is clearly an aggravation that you knew you were intoxicated.

"With considerable hesitation I have determined that is not how I am going to deal with it. I take into account your previous exemplary character and the number of difficulties caused, directly or indirectly, by your employment in public service.

"You should regard yourself as fortunate that you are not going to prison."

He banned Reader from driving for three years and placed him on a 7pm to 7am curfew for six months.