Moray man stopped by Police officers after six beers on Christmas Day jailed for five months and given 12 year driving ban
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A BUCKIE man has been jailed after being stopped for suspected drink driving on Christmas Day and verbally abusing police officers.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that at around 8pm on Christmas Day 2022, police officers were informed that Ray Jappy (40) was driving his work van after consuming between six and eight beers earlier that day.
In response, the police set up a static point to observe Jappy's van passing by on the way to Buckie. They followed the vehicle and signalled for him to stop. It was immediately apparent to the officers that Jappy appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, as he displayed signs such as unsteady footing, glazed eyes, slurred speech, and a strong smell of alcohol on his breath. However, when asked to undergo a breathalyser test, the 40-year-old refused and was subsequently taken to Elgin police station.
At the police station, Jappy continued to exhibit aggressive behaviour. He repeatedly shouted at and verbally abused the officers and continued to refuse to produce a breath sample for analysis.
Defence Solicitor Stephen Carty said that Jappy had engaged in a "fairly heated" argument with his partner, prompting him to make the decision to leave. He added that the 40-year-old had made efforts to secure alternative transportation through a lift or taxi but he was unsuccessful and chose to drive. The court was informed that Jappy did not take kindly to the comments made by the police officers, reacting in what was described as an "entirely wrong way."
He also acknowledged that the 40-year-old had several previous drink driving offences but that he had been alcohol free for four years prior to this incident and had made progress in overcoming his issues with alcohol.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood expressed concern that Jappy had reoffended less than three months after his licence had been re-instated for a previous drink driving offence and commented that this was his fifth offence of this kind. As a result, he sentenced Jappy to five months in prison and imposed a 12-year driving disqualification.
