Five year ban for driver

Jul 4 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTHSHIRE businessman, caught driving with excess alcohol twice within the space of just three weeks, was banned for a total of five years at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

In addition, Christopher Adams (58), of Den Park, Abernethy, was put on probation for 18 months, with a condition that he attend a drink/driving rehabilitation course.

He was also fined £500 for the first incident, which took place in Victoria Street, Perth, on May 17.

On that occasion, Adams, who was said to have a drink problem, had been behind the wheel with more than three times the legal alcohol limit.

Depute fiscal Therese Oswald said that police had stopped the accused in relation to another matter that evening and had detected a “strong smell” of alcohol from his breath.

It was subsequently discovered that his reading was 112mics., in excess of the permitted maximum of 35.

On June 7, he was again stopped, this time on the Perth-Gateside road, at 1.30pm on Saturday, June 7.

Again alcohol was detected on his breath and the breathalyser procedure was carried out.

His reading was 40mics. – in excess of the legal limit of 35.

Solicitor Steve Lafferty said that the accused is manager of a fishery business but hoped to be able to keep his job, albeit with a reduced salary.

The first offence had taken place at the end of his working day.

“He had remained in the office and had taken some alcohol,” added Mr Lafferty.

“He was required to move the works vehicle about 150 yards and took the risk.”

He acknowledged it was a high reading.

A few weeks later, he had committed another offence, albeit with a significantly lower reading.

He had been drinking the previous night and clearly had consumed a “quantity of alcohol.”

The solicitor added: “He appreciates he has a drink problem and has referred himself to his GP.

“He makes no excuse for his behaviour and regards it as a wake-up call.”

Imposing the penalties, Sheriff Michael Fletcher said that the accused hadn’t appeared to have learned from his first offence.