Court / Drink driver banned for 14 months

A MAN from Bressay has been banned and fined for taking to the wheel after drinking.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard that Stanley Garriock, of Glebe Park, had consumed alcohol earlier the day before returning on foot to Bressay.

The 47-year-old then had more drinks at the island’s hotel before getting into his pick-up at closing time and crashing it into a parked vehicle.

He admitted at the court on Thursday to driving while unfit through drink or drugs in Bressay on 18 January last year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Garriock was found by a hotel employee.

“About one hour 40 minutes later [after he left the pub] a member of the bar staff was driving home, saw the accused’s vehicle lying in a ditch, with him standing by it,” he said.

Garriock said he was fine, and after his vehicle was towed out he made his way home.

The court heard that Garriock spoke to the owner of the other vehicle the next morning about the damage he caused and offered to pay money, but she had already informed the police.

Defence agent Martin Morrow said his client had made the “wrong decision”.

He said Garriock losing his licence would cause “considerable inconvenience for him” due to his line of work, which involves MOT tests.

Garriock also admitted driving with no insurance in Bressay on the same date.

Morrow said his client had transferred insurance from another vehicle and incorrectly thought it had two months left to run.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank disqualified Garriock from driving for 14 months, and fined him £600.

He was also ordered to pay £300 in compensation.

If Garriock completes a drink driving rehabilitation course the ban could be reduced by one quarter.