Bettyhill driver admits drinking 'a number of cans of alcohol' before landing car in ditch
A NORTH coast drink-driver was detected after landing his vehicle in the ditch in the early hours of the morning, a court was told.
Initially an ambulance was sent out to the assistance of Joshua Noble, Mackenzie Crescent, Bettyhill. But police were then contacted.
Tain Sheriff Court heard on Monday that Noble's alcohol count was 145 milligrammes in 100 millilitres of urine – the limit is 67 in 100.
The 29-year-old was not at Monday's court and had no legal representation.
But procurator fiscal depute David Morton said Noble had pleaded guilty by letter to drink driving on Sunday, February 9.
The accident happened on an unclassified road by Newlands, Bettyhill.
Mr Morton said: “Police were called out at 4.30am by ambulance control, who had initially responded. It was a single vehicle road traffic accident and the vehicle was in the ditch.
“Mr Noble indicated freely to both ambulance personnel and police officers that he had consumed a number of cans of alcohol prior to driving.”
Sheriff Gary Aitken fined Noble £420 and banned him from driving for 14 months.