Court / Man given large fine and ban for driving dangerously while drunk

A DRINK driver from Inverness who caused a collision in Lerwick while around four times the limit has been fined more than £2,500 and banned from the road for four years.

David MacDonald, of Aird Crescent, previously admitted driving dangerously and causing a crash at North Lochside in the town while over the limit on 13 February last year.

The 34-year-old drove dangerously by repeatedly weaving back and forth across the middle of the road, resulting in one motorist driving onto the pavement to avoid a collision, only for MacDonald’s car to collide with a second car that was following behind.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday prior to sentencing that MacDonald had been driving at around 10pm.

He said MacDonald was “clearly drunk” and following the collision he was taken to hospital.

MacDonald provided a blood sample to the police around three hours after the driving offence.

It showed he had 208 milligrammes of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50 milligrammes.

Defence agent Clare Russell said conceded that it was “very serious matter” – partly due to her client’s previous convictions.

“He accepts full responsibility,” she said. “He understands that there’s absolutely no excuse for his behaviour.”

The court heard that MacDonald, who was working in Shetland as a contractor, was so ashamed of his conduct that he left the isles shortly afterwards.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said on balance it was appropriate to deal with the matter through fines and disqualifications.

Due to his previous convictions, he was given a fine totalling £2,400 – with another £175 on top in a victim surcharge.

MacDonald was also banned from holding or obtaining a driving licence for four years.