Drunk Norwegian’s failed attempt at driving

A DRUNK Norwegian offshore worker was disqualified for one year at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to attempting to drive while drunk.

Appearing from custody, Rolf Megne Jensen, with an address in Silsand, northern Norway, was also fined £500.

The court heard that the offshore surveyor, who was in Lerwick overnight from Tuesday, was due to be picked up from his hotel on Wednesday morning to be taken to Sumburgh airport.

But after a night out in which he had too much to drink he had lost his way in a town he did not know.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that Jensen had come across an unlocked car at Holmsgarth Brae at 5am, and climbed into the driver’s seat.

However when he pressed the ignition button the car’s alarm went off and the vehicle’s owner was alerted.

On being confronted by the owner, Jensen reportedly said that he was Rolf and on his way to the airport.

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The 31 year old had two and a half times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood when tested by police.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client had just returned from a four week stint working off Shetland and was due to fly out to Mexico that Wednesday morning.

Jensen is now likely to lose his £70,000 a year job with the company that operates a strict zero tolerance policy towards alcohol.

Sheriff Philip Mann said: “It is a very unfortunate situation you find yourself in, but it is one of your own making.”