Aberdeenshire drink driver is banned from roads

A man who decided to drink drive after a night out with a friend has been banned from the roads.

David Gray (45) admitted the charge when he appeared at Banff Sheriff Court.

Gray, whose address was given as a rural property near Banff, pleaded guilty to driving a car after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath was 46 microgrammes in 100 millilitres exceeding the limit of 22mcg in 100ml, at Buchan Street, Macduff, on August 29 this year.

Fiscal deputy Kirsty Martin told the court that Gray was driving his Toyota RAV 4 at around 1.45am.

She said police officers saw the vehicle on Skene Street and with the manner it was being driven stopped it.

Ms Martin outlined that the officers smelt a strong smell of alcohol from Gray and carried out a roadside breath test which was positive.

Gray’s solicitor Alannah Comerford said her client, who was employed as a butcher, had met a friend after work for drinks.

She added they went back to the friend’s home and consumed more alcohol.

The defence agent said another person turned up at the house and Gray left and got into his vehicle.

She added: “He didn’t think he would be over the limit. He has regret and remorse for the incident.”

Sheriff Robert McDonald disqualified Gray from driving for 12 months, which will be reduced to nine months if he completes the drink-drive rehabilitation course. The sheriff also fined Gray £420.