Court / Large fines and 12-month driving ban for man from Glasgow
A MAN who first caught the attention of police by driving in the dark with no headlights on – before behaving in a threatening or abusive manner to officers and failing to provide breath samples – has been fined £1,700 and been banned from driving for a year.
Colin Reid, of Bothwell, Glasgow, admitted three charges when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to driving a car with no headlights illuminated on Commercial Road in Lerwick on 28 January this year.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Lerwick Police Station on the same day by making offensive comments, shouting and swearing and uttering threats to police officers – aggravated by prejudice relating to disability.
Reid, who was on bail at the time, also admitted failing to provide breath specimens for analysis.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the driving offence happened at around 12.45am. He was stopped by police and failed a roadside screening test.
He was arrested a taken to the town’s police station, where his “conduct deteriorated significantly”.
The court heard that Reid called police officers derogatory terms – with his behaviour lasting in total for around four hours.
Regarding the breath samples, the court heard that Reid said he would not provide any as “you’re going to f*** me over anyway, so what’s the point”.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said the electrician had been going through some challenges in his personal life at the time.
His behaviour in the police station was exacerbated by a TV crew filming inside at the time, the solicitor said.
He said Reid did not want his family to see his behaviour on camera.
Regarding the driving, Allan said his client had two beers earlier on and “stupidly” accepted a request to pick up a friend.
The solicitor added that Reid wanted to apologise to all involved.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank fined Reid £1,000 for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the police station.
He was also fined £700 for failing to provide breath specimens, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
The ban can be reduced by one quarter if Reid completes a drink driving rehabilitation course.
Sheriff Cruickshank admonished Reid – whose case was due to go to trial on Thursday – on the driving with no headlights offence.
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