Man admits two drink driving charges

A MAN from Burra who was found driving while over the alcohol limit twice in the space of a few months has been disqualified ahead of sentencing.

Terry Laurenson, of Hamnavoe, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit driving over the limit in the town on 4 November 2023 and in the Gott area on 31 January this year.

In the first instance, on Lerwick’s Commercial Street, the 42-year-old admitted driving a pick-up with 39 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

He also pleaded guilty to driving whilst having 28 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml breath on the A970 by the Loch of Vatster earlier this year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said in the Lerwick offence Laurenson had driven along the street at around 2pm on a Saturday afternoon.

The court heard that he stopped his vehicle outside a licensed restaurant.

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Mackenzie said a member of the public was so concerned by the manner of driving that they took the keys from the vehicle and called the police.

He added that Laurenson had consumed more alcohol at the restaurant.

Mackenzie noted how proceedings around the offence were still live when the second instance of drink driving occurred.

He said concern was again raised by a member of the public – this time at around 9am, although police only came across Laurenson at roughly 1.45pm.

Defence agent Martin Morrow said his client was in the process of addressing his alcohol use.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank deferred matters until 18 April to allow reports to be prepared, at which date the defence is likely to give more mitigation.

The sheriff said that given the nature of the offences he would impose an interim disqualification in the meantime.