News / Drink driver’s car might be confiscated
A LERWICK drink driver will have to wait for another four weeks to find out whether his car will be confiscated by the court after he admitted driving while five times the legal limit for alcohol.
Neil Jamieson, of Sandveien, Lerwick, was stopped by police officers because of the manner of his driving at the town’s South Road at lunchtime on 26 January.
Even under the old drink-driving limit, the 45 year old would have been well over three times the legal limit.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie was seeking forfeiture of Jamieson’s Ford Focus in order to send out a strong signal.
“Clearly we have a drinking problem in these islands, we see high readings very regularly and something needs to be done,” the fiscal said.
The court that Jamieson’s car, acquired on a hire purchase agreement, was worth between £5,400 and £6,500.
Defending solicitor Tommy Allan said his client had “a big night” the day before and did not appreciate how much alcohol he had left in his system.
Allan said his client didn’t own the vehicle outright and, in addition, the car was regularly used by his wife to get to work and also help other family members to get around.
He said the court had “ample powers” apart from forfeiture, and called on the sheriff to look at other ways of punishing Jamieson.
Sheriff Philip Mann said he was “fairly certain” he had the powers to forfeit the vehicle, but agreed to defer sentence until 18 March to hear more background on how the car is being used in the family.
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.