Court / Drink driver banned and fined
A MAN from Gulberwick has been banned from driving for three years and fined £1,000 after getting behind the wheel while over four times the limit.
Laurence Dalziel, from Shurton Brae, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving in Sandwick on 25 September with 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the offence came to light when the 71-year-old was seen exiting his vehicle near the Sandwick shop at around 4.15pm.
A witness saw his car roll backwards when the handbrake was not applied properly, and although Dalziel managed to rectify the situation, he was seen “clearly drunk” in the shop.
The police were called and Dalziel was arrested and taken to Lerwick Police Station.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been struggling to live on his own and added that his drinking had been “out of control”.
Since the offence Dalziel sought help off his own back, the solicitor said, adding that his client was “deeply ashamed”.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it was a “substantial” alcohol reading and taking into account a similar previous conviction he disqualified Dalziel for three years and gave him a £1,000 fine.
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
Web: https://victimsupport.scot/locations/victim-support-shetland/
Email: VictimSupportHighlandsIslands@victimsupportsco.org.uk
For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:
Space2face
Phone: 07564 832467
Web: https://www.space2face.org
Email: info@space2face.org
For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:
Shetland Women’s Aid
Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org
The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)
Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org
For anyone affected by substance use:
Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network
Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk
Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot
Substance Use Recovery Service
Phone: 01595 743006