Offshore worker avoids drink driving jail sentence

Feb 12 2010 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

OFFSHORE worker Michael MacIver appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on his third drink-driving-related offence this week.

He was told he faces a jail term and a lengthy driving ban unless he finds a place on a pre-entry college course for the Merchant Navy.

MacIver (23), of Burrell Square, Crieff, failed to provide two breath specimens at Perth Police HQ after being stopped by police in Muthill in the early hours of the morning last October 25.

It was later discovered he was a disqualified driver and had no insurance.

A solicitor for the accused said her client had “panicked” when asked to provide breath specimens.

It has been his “lifetime ambition” to join the Merchant Navy and he had been offered a cadet course at college, subject to background checks.

Sheriff Robert McCreadie said MacIver had previous convictions in 2005 and 2008 for drink-driving, adding: “I am very conscious I have the power to effectively destroy this man’s life.”

He agreed to defer sentence until March 23 to enable him to prove he had been accepted for a course.