Three litres of vodka a day man banned

A SCALLOWAY man who admitted driving while almost five times the legal limit for alcohol was disqualified for two and a half years at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Police were made aware of John Andrew Johnson, of Castle Street, after being alerted by Shetland Islands Council staff who became concerned about Johnson’s state when he attended the authority’s headquarters at the North Ness Business Park, in Lerwick, on 26 July this year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court the 37 year old was a man with a “very significant drink problem”, consuming about three litres of vodka a day.

Defending, Tommy Allan said his client had been battling with alcohol dependency for the last ten years and had already spent some time in residential rehabilitation.

He was also working with the local drink and drugs agency CADSS and had the support of his parents.

Disqualifying Johnson and fining him £600, Sheriff Philip Mann said that he had posed a significant risk to the public.

Meanwhile, a young woman from Bixter was banned for one year after admitting she drove while unfit through drink of drugs.

Fiona Marie Morrison, of 14 Wirliegert, crashed her car on the A971 at Weisdale in the early hours of 18 April.

The court heard that following the accident the 22 year old had contacted her father who had taken her to hospital for treatment and then alerted the police.

Sheriff Philip Mann told Morrison that she could reduce the ban by three months if she successfully completed a drink drivers rehabilitation course. She was also fined £500.