Sea cadet banned

A SEA cadet from the Isle of Lewis studying to become a marine engineer in Shetland was banned and fined at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday for careless driving while drunk.

The court heard that an off duty policeman and his wife were walking along Main Street, in Scalloway, on the evening of 18 January when they were confronted by a speeding car coming at them on the wrong side of the narrow road.

The officer immediately called the police who arrived within half an hour at Scalloway’s NAFC Marine Centre where 22 year old Rezaul Habil Ahmed was studying.

Initially he refused to see the police, but was told by college staff that he had no choice and he was breathalysed.

On Wednesday Ahmed, of 6b Percival Road North, Stornoway, pled guilty to careless driving at excessive speed while twice the legal limit for alcohol.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said: “It appeared he had lost control and swerved across the road and for some reason started blasting his horn.

“He had other people in the car so it’s a classic case of a young fool showing off to his friends.”

Defence agent Tommy Allan described it as more a case of “students’ horseplay on a Friday night”, but agreed it was not acceptable or safe.

He also insisted Ahmed had taken a drink after he had arrived back at the college, though the fiscal described that assertion as a “cock and bull story”.

Fining him a total of £900 and banning him for 18 months, Sheriff Philip Mann said Ahmed’s driving was unacceptable and could have compromised the safety of his passengers, pedestrians and himself.

He was told he could reduce his ban by four months if he completes an alcohol awareness course.