Court / Three year driving ban for man who crashed car in Trondra

A LERWICK man who crashed his car in Trondra while unfit to drive through drink or drugs has been banned from the road for three years and told to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard how a witness became concerned by the manner of Mark Odie’s driving at the town’s Ladies Drive in the afternoon of 16 April last year.

About an hour later Odie was in Trondra where he lost control of his vehicle and crashed his car near Burland Farm. Odie escaped uninjured.

Attending the scene of the crash police found Odie to be unsteady on his feet, with a blue residue around his mouth. A breath test for alcohol was negative.

Defending Odie, solicitor Tommy Allan said his client appreciated that he was a danger to himself and to others.

He said it was clear that Odie had been struggling for some time, adding that his client was in the process of accessing support services.

Given Odie’s record, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank – who presided over court via videolink from Elgin Sheriff Court – said he had no other option but to disqualify him from driving for three years.

He also placed him under supervision for 18 months and, as part of a community payback order, ordered him to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.