Court /

Already banned driver ordered to carry out unpaid work

30 July 2026 13:21

A DRIVER from Lerwick has been banned and ordered to carry out unpaid work after pleading guilty to driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Gary Latham appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday morning.

His case was initially set for trial, but the 51-year old pleaded guilty to the charge at the start of proceedings.

The court heard that Latham, of the town’s Hoofields, had been stopped by police on North Road in the early hours of 21 September of last year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said officers on patrol had been concerned by his driving and turned around to stop him.

A blood sample taken showed the presence of drink or drugs but not the proportion, the fiscal told the court.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client was a joiner by trade but currently not working as he was caring for his wife.

The court also heard that Latham had received a lengthy driving ban in January for a separate offence, which led Sheriff Philip Mann to question the effectiveness of any driving ban he would impose today.

The sheriff eventually decided to impose a community payback order, which requires Latham to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work over the next six months.

He was also banned from driving for a year.

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.