Court / Large fine and ban for drink driving

A MAN from Scalloway has been fined £2,500 and disqualified from driving for three years after admitting taking to the road while five times the alcohol limit.

Daryl Martin, of Kirkhus, admitted committing the offence at Mill Brae, the B9074 at Blydoit and Undirhoull on 7 November.

He had 114 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the 33-year-old’s driving, at around 10 in the morning, was erratic.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said at one point Martin’s van was “revving harshly” in the wrong gear.

Mackenzie said Martin was intending to visit a friend but ended going into the wrong flat. The police were called and he failed a roadside screening test.

The fiscal noted that there are a lot of families in the area, including a play park nearby.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Martin had taken a rare drink but could not stop, with the plumber having “no recollection of the offence”.

“Like many people he struggled to cope with lockdown and being within his home,” the solicitor added.

“There’s no doubt that he’s extremely remorseful about this.”

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said it was a “serious example” of driving under the influence of alcohol.

He said Martin had admitted a similar offence back in 2006.

Taking into account his record, the sheriff said he could have imposed a period of imprisonment.

However, he said: “I think it’s more appropriate to with this matter here by imposing what I can only describe as a meaningful fine and a meaningful period of disqualification.”

Sheriff Cruickshank said the driving ban can be reduced by one quarter if Martin completes a drink driver rehabilitation course, which Allan said he is keen to do.