Joiner fined and disqualified from driving

A MAN from Mossbank who crashed his car on a Lerwick road while six times the legal limit for alcohol has been fined and disqualified.

Michael Owers pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and drink driving when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.

The court heard how the 35-year-old failed to negotiate the South Road roundabout, mounted the pavement and swerved into the opposing carriageway in front of an oncoming vehicle.

His vehicle came to a standstill after it collided with railings mounted on the pavement, all in the evening of 14 January.

Owers, of Maidenfield, had an alcohol reading of 134 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of blood when the accident happened. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Defence solicitor Gregor Kelly said his client fully accepts the severity of the matter and is deeply ashamed of his actions.

He said the incident could have had serious, in fact fatal, consequences.

Speaking in mitigation Kelly added that Owers, a highly regarded self-employed joiner, was going through a difficult period after a long-term partnership had come to an end.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank acknowledged that Owers’ show of remorse was genuine.

He fined him £800, payable at £100 per month. Owers was banned from driving for a total of 16 months and is required to pass the extended test of competence before driving again.

He can reduce the period of disqualification by one quarter if he successfully completes the drink driving rehabilitation course.