Court / Drink driver disqualified, fined and ordered to pay compensation

14 May 2025 15:37

A MAN from Rock Ferry has been landed with a total financial penalty of more than £1,000 after a night out with workmates went awry.

Connor Blackburn, of New Chester Road, was also disqualified from driving for 14 months for driving around four times the alcohol limit.

The 23-year-old admitted charges of assault to injury, assault, behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and driving over the limit – with the offences taking place in Lerwick on 14 March this year.

Speaking at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident began when Blackburn approached two men on Commercial Road to ask them if they had cocaine.

After the answer was no, there ended up being a scuffle on the street.

The complainers then entered the Lerwick Legion – followed by Blackburn, who was shouting.

The court heard that Blackburn did not comply with the “rather sensible request” to leave the pub and instead starting throwing punches – assaulting the two men in the process.

As things intensified other patrons in the bar stepped in, Mackenzie said, with Blackburn ultimately leaving and getting into a vehicle.

The court heard that police happened to be nearby, with officers flagged down by people saying there had been an assault.

The police stopped the car and it was clear that Blackburn had been drinking, Mackenzie said.

The man failed a roadside screening test, was arrested and taken to Lerwick Police Station.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said with his shift pattern giving him time off, Blackburn – who has been suspended from work as a result of the offence – had been out with some of his colleagues.

He said he had “more drink than he was normally used to” and said the offending was “very much out of character”.

Allan also said the first “connected” hit in the fighting was by one of the complainers, but added that does not excuse anything.

In addition to the driving disqualification, Sheriff David Harvie gave Blackburn fines totalling £610, and compensation orders worth a combined £400.

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.