Court / Two disqualified after admitting drink driving

11 May 2022 15:59

A WOMAN from Lerwick who drove while under the influence of alcohol before getting involved in a crash has been disqualified for three years.

Catherine Coghill, of Nederdale, was also fined a total of £950 when her case called at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The 67-year-old admitted driving on the A970 in Cunningsburgh on 22 April last year with 118 milligrammes of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The limit is 50 milligrammes.

She also pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention at the same time by encroaching into the opposing carriageway, in consequence of which her car collided with an oncoming vehicle.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident happened at around midday.

He said there was no real explanation for the collision other than being under the influence of alcohol.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said: “It was clear from the outset…that [Coghill] accepted full responsibility for this.”

offset-carousel/post-mobile/0

He added that his client had been drinking wine the day before and thought she would be fine to drive.

Since the accident she has not consumed any alcohol, the court heard.

Allan said Coghill said wanted to apologise to those involved and thank the efforts of the emergency services.

A MAN from Yell who drove to a party while over the alcohol limit has been disqualified for 12 months and given an £800 fine.

Craig Irvine appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit driving a car in West Sandwick, Yell on 20 June last year with 64 microgrammes of alcohol 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 24-year-old had driven to a family party which he had not been invited to at around 3.30am.

He was asked to leave, and the police were called. A breath sample was taken at around 8.30am and the alcohol reading was back calculated.

Become a member of Shetland News

Billing: Your monthly subscription of £10 will be billed on or shortly after the 22nd of each month. You can change how much you pay or cancel at any time.

Defence agent Andrew Seggie said his client had been drinking and went to sleep before waking and reading about the party on social media.

“In sobriety he accepts he should have not driven the vehicle that evening,” he told the court.

Seggie said his client’s driving licence was important for family reasons and added that Irvine was “extremely remorseful”.

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.