Moray courts – Four motorists given bans for being under the influence

Four motorists have lost their licences after admitting driving while either under the influence of drink or drugs.

David Ferguson was stopped in the car park of Elgin Asda at 1.35pm on October 1. A breath test conducted an hour later at the police station recorded a reading of 118 – more than five times the legal limit of 22.

Speaking at Elgin Sheriff Court, defence solicitor Matthew O’Neill said that, at the time of the offence, his client had been “going through a difficult time in his personal life”.

The lawyer added: “He appreciates that he hadn’t been dealing with it very well.”

The court heard that the 53-year-old, who had previously lost his licence following a similar offence in 2011, has now sold his vehicle.

Ferguson, of Cockburn Place, Elgin, was disqualified for 16 months and ordered to pay a £740 fine.

Andrew McBean, of Chandlers Rise, Elgin, gave a reading of 134 when he was stopped on the A96 as it passes through Elgin on August 11.

The court heard that the 54-year-old had already been banned on a previous occasion, when the reading had been 118.

The case was adjourned to a later date and McBean was banned in the meantime.

Kasia Grycuk gave a reading of 92 on St Gerardine’s Road, Lossiemouth, on October 26.

The case against the 34-year-old whose address was given as Dalgety Bay, Fife, was adjourned to January 23. She was banned in the meantime.

Ryan George, of Aird Street, Portsoy, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while under the influence of cocaine.

The 25-year-old was stopped on July 26 at Castle Street in Fochabers.

A subsequent drugs test recorded a reading of 129, nearly 13 times the limit at which the law decrees it harms the ability to drive.

His case was adjourned until January 9 and an interim ban was imposed until that date.