News / Drink driver jailed and banned for life
A SHETLAND man has been jailed and banned from driving for life after he returned to the wheel of his car following his release from custody on a drink driving charge earlier this month.
Derek Barclay Cowie Johnson, aged 57, of 23 Meadowfield Crescent, Scalloway, had initially been stopped as he drove while more than twice the legal alcohol limit on the village’s Meadowfield Road on 4 April.
He was arrested at home after local people had alerted the police to his driving, but refused to give a breath test until he was at the police station in Lerwick.
He was released the following day, only to return home and repeat the offence, this time being found twice the legal limit while driving along Lovers Loan and Meadowfield Crescent on 6 April.
On Wednesday he pled guilty to both drink driving charges and failing to give a breath sample at his home.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that Johnson had only bought the car for £2,000 two days before his initial arrest. He said: “This is a man with a significant drink problem who believes it to be entirely appropriate for him to drive the short distance to the shops in Scalloway to pick up his carry out.”
He said that on the second occasion Johnson had mounted the pavement and forced another car to do the same to avoid him.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said that Johnson had just suffered two bereavements and had spent two days in hospital, which had caused problems with his accommodation. “He accepts that when this happened he had gone off the rails,” he said.
Mr Allan added that Johnson, who suffers from mental health problems, had complained about the way his medical condition had been treated while he was in custody over the past two weeks.
Sheriff Graeme Napier jailed him for six months and banned him from driving for life, after hearing that he had been convicted of three previous driving offences, one of which had led to someone’s death.. He also ordered the car to be forfeited and sold by public auction.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
