Drive ban for breath

Nov 25 2008

A £500 fine and an 18-month driving ban were imposed on a Perth man after he refused to provide police with two breath specimens.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that 31-year-old John McKechnie, of Balgowan Road, was pulled over by police in Bute Drive, Perth, about 1.30am on June 1.

He appeared to be exceeding the speed limit and had crossed the centre of the road.

A computer check revealed he had no insurance for the vehicle. He was also a provisional licence holder and had no ‘L’ plates on the vehicle.

Police detected a “strong smell” of alcohol from him and he gave a positive breathalyser test.

But when he was taken to Police HQ in Barrack Street he failed to provide an acceptable reading.

Solicitor Cliff Culley said that the accused had been out for the evening and hadn’t intended to drive.

But he couldn’t get a taxi and decided to take his car, which he now regretted.

“He gave a roadside breath sample and thought he was trying to give a further sample at the police station but obviously wasn’t trying hard enough.”