Drink driver's marquee dance downfall
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A chef took the "foolish" decision to drive after drinking cider at a marquee dance in a Sutherland village, a court heard.
But a member of the public reported Alexander Macdonald, North Bughtlin Brae, Edinburgh, to police and he was stopped while driving along a road in Brora.
The 63-year-old was nearly five times over the drink-drive limit.
He admitted the offence at Tain Sheriff Court today and was banned from the road for 16 months and fined £665.
Procurator fiscal Roderick Urquhart said: "On Saturday July 27, there was a carnival dance next to Dudgeon Park, Brora and police were in attendance.
"About 1am on the Sunday, a member of the public informed them that an intoxicated man was attempting to drive his car.
"Police went looking and stopped him in Johnston Place and the usual breath testing procedure followed."
A roadside breath test taken at 1.22 am proved positive and intoximeter tests taken at 2.55am showed Macdonald to have 108 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly five times over the legal drink drive limit of 22 in 100.
Defence agent Joyce Simpson said that her client lived in Edinburgh and worked as a chef at the Royal Scots Club but was originally from Brora and had returned home to visit family. He had attended the marquee dance and had been drinking cider.
The lawyer said: "He was advised that his car would be locked in the car park and was unaware when the car park would be open and foolishly decided to move it. He understand it is a very high reading. His employment will not be affected but he will have to use public transport."
