Banned driver banned some more

A YOUNG Shetland man who took his father’s van without permission and drove his friend to a shop while disqualified was banned for two years and placed on probation at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

James Garson, of Summerside, Walls, admitted taking the vehicle from his house and driving while disqualified and without insurance around the village of Walls on 13 September.

The court heard that the police were called after someone took a video of the 21 year old in the driver’s seat on their mobile phone.

However defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been working hard to get over his addiction to alcohol and been applying for jobs and training courses.

Sheriff Graeme Napier said Garson had shown “a blatant disregard for the law”, but said he was prepared to be lenient because he was trying to turn his life around.

As well as banning him from driving, the sheriff ordered him to carry out 40 hours community service and tagged him, forcing him to stay at home between 7pm and 6am for three months.