Aberdeenshire drink driver who was nearly six times over the limit banned from roads

A man who was caught drink-driving nearly six times over the legal limit has been banned from the roads.

Robert McWilliam (65) appeared at Banff Sheriff Court in connection with the incident.

He pleaded guilty to driving a car after drinking so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath was 120 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath, which exceeded the prescribed limit of 22mcg in 100ml of breath, on the A97 Banff to Huntly road near Aberchirder, on January 8 this year.

Fiscal depute Anne Mann told the court that McWilliam, of Forgue near Huntly, had been driving his son’s car that day.

She outlined that at the time road conditions were poor due to snowfall and it was dark but clear.

She said McWilliam was seen driving into the verge and on the opposite side of the road before he pulled into a lay-by.

Police officers attended and they noticed a smell of alcohol coming from McWilliam, he was slurring his speech and was unsteady on his feet. A roadside breath test was done which he failed.

Ms Mann outlined that McWilliam was then taken to the police station and after a test there the reading in the charge was given and he was cautioned and charged.

McWilliam’s solicitor Stuart Beveridge told the court that his client had been on the road carrying out his duties and realised he should not have been driving, pulled into the lay-by and phoned his son.

Mr Beveridge added: “He came to the attention of other road users who had called the police.

“He accepts his drinking at the time had got out of control and has taken steps to address this.”

Sheriff Robert McDonald told McWilliam: “Your reading was pushing up to being six times over the limit.”

The sheriff disqualified McWilliam from driving for 19 months. If he completes the drink-drive rehabilitation course it will be reduced to 15 months. He was also fined £340.