Court / Drink driver banned and fined

A MAN from Gulberwick has been banned from driving for three years and fined £1,000 after getting behind the wheel while over four times the limit.

Laurence Dalziel, from Shurton Brae, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to driving in Sandwick on 25 September with 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the offence came to light when the 71-year-old was seen exiting his vehicle near the Sandwick shop at around 4.15pm.

A witness saw his car roll backwards when the handbrake was not applied properly, and although Dalziel managed to rectify the situation, he was seen “clearly drunk” in the shop.

The police were called and Dalziel was arrested and taken to Lerwick Police Station.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had been struggling to live on his own and added that his drinking had been “out of control”.

Since the offence Dalziel sought help off his own back, the solicitor said, adding that his client was “deeply ashamed”.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it was a “substantial” alcohol reading and taking into account a similar previous conviction he disqualified Dalziel for three years and gave him a £1,000 fine.