Sheriff orders background reports on Sutherland driver who tested positive for alcohol and cocaine and who was in possession of cannabis

A SUTHERLAND driver has admitted taking to the wheel after drinking and taking drugs.

Archie Lockie (22), of Migdale Road, Bonar Bridge, tested positive for alcohol and cocaine, after being stopped while driving on the A9 between Tain and the Dornoch Bridge.

In addition, the 22-year-old was found to be in possession of cannabis, a Class B drug.

Lockie appeared at Tain Sheriff Court today to admit two contraventions of the Road Traffic Act and one of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He admitted drink-driving on the A9 between Tain and Dornoch Bridge on April 16, 2021.

The charge stated that Lockie had 48 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - more than twice the legal limit of 22 in 100.

Lockie also pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with benzoylecgonine in his system.

Benzoylecgonine is the central compound found in cocaine and the marker for a positive test for the banned substance.

According to the charge sheet, Lockie had 64mg of Benzoylecgonine per litre of blood. The limit is 50mg per litre.

Lockie further admitted having in his possession cannabis, a controlled drug.

His defence lawyer Rory Gowans did not give any plea of mitigation as Sheriff Gary Aitken deferred the case for Criminal Justice social work reports.

Sheriff Aitken told Lockie: “If you have an issue with your use of alcohol and controlled drugs, you would be well advised to be as open and honest with social workers as you can be.”

The sheriff went on to indicate to Mr Gowans that it was the first time he had dealt with a driver who had ingested both drink and drugs. He also noted that Lockie had a previous driving conviction dating back to 2018.

An interim driving disqualification was imposed on Lockie. The case calls again on July 4.