News / Two drink drivers banned from the road
A STUDENT from Burra who crashed his van while over three times the drink driving limit has been banned from the road for 20 months and fined £400.
Simon Scholes, of Bridge End, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving on the A970 at Gulberwick on 27 May with 184 milligrams of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50 milligrams.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said a passing motorist noticed a vehicle in a ditch at around 1.30am.
They stopped to help and saw the 47 year old climbing out of the driver’s side.
He was taken to the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick with a head injury before police got involved. The blood sample taken at around 3.20am.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had “no recollection of the events which led him to take the car on the night” – something which concussion may have contributed to.
The solicitor added that Scholes had been concerned about the health of a family member and may have been driving to see them.
Sheriff Philip Mann said it was a “high reading” – with Scholes replying from the dock that it was a “one off” and out of character for him.
The 47 year old can reduce his ban by one quarter if he completes a drink-driving rehab course.
Meanwhile, a seventeen year old has been disqualified from the wheel for 14 months and been given a £500 fine after drink driving earlier this year.
The teenager – who can’t be named due to his age – admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving a car at the Spiggie road in Dunrossness on 5 November with 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said it was another offence that came to light after a road accident.
He said the incident happened at around 12.40am. Police tracked the man down before he failed a roadside screening test and was arrested.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said the car belonged to his client’s mother and that he had started drinking after she was admitted to hospital before “stupidly” driving off.
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.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
