Court / Islander given ban and fine for drink driving

A MAN from Fetlar who had been drinking before being found unconscious in a car which had gone off the road has been banned from driving and given a fine.

Peter Coutts, 68, admitted driving a car with 208 milligrammes of alcohol in 100ml of urine on the island on 17 February last year. The legal limit is 67 milligrammes.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie previously told the court that Coutts had been driving home after having a “considerable amount” of alcohol.

His vehicle was seen at 8pm but a dog walker later saw it off the road at around 10.30pm, with Coutts unconscious inside.

Due to the time for police to arrive in Fetlar the urine sample was only taken at 7am the next day – around 12 hours after Coutts was driving.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client viewed drinking as a “habit” – but one he gives up from time to time.

He said Coutts was someone who “keeps himself to himself most of the time”. 

The solicitor added that his trip to hospital after the police got involved was the first time he had been off the island of Fetlar in about three years.

Allan said his client had no intention of getting behind the wheel again. “As far as he is concerned his driving career is at an end,” he said.

Despite this, Coutts was given a 20 month driving ban as well as a £700 fine.