Three year road ban and £900 fine for second-time Brora drink-driver

Brora drink-driver Patrick Blackburn has been fined £900 and banned from the road for three years.

The case against the 32-year-old, of Clynemilton, called at Tain Sheriff Court on Monday, although he was not present.

The court was told he had previously admitted drink driving at Rosslyn Street, Brora, and elsewhere on June 6.

Tests showed him to have 38mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. The limit is 22 in 100. It is Blackburn's second drink-drive offence within a 10 year period.

Procurator fiscal Roderick Urquhart said: "The offence came to light following a single vehicle road accident which happened at 3pm and breath testing took place at 8pm."

Defence agent David Patterson said Blackburn was a chef but had lost his employment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"He reverted to alcohol as a coping mechanism," said the lawyer. "He does express remorse and appreciates the wrongdoing."

Sheriff Gary Aitken agreed that Blackburn was a candidate for the drink driver rehabilitation course, which if completed, would reduce his driving ban by 36 weeks.