Car was found in ditch at John O’Groats – but where was the driver?

Police were quickly on the trail of a road accident after the vehicle involved beamed the location to them from its black box after the airbag was activated.

Officers found Steven Calder’s vehicle in a ditch near the Seater Road End, off the A99, at John O’Groats, but there was no sign of him, Wick Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.

Fiscal depute Grant McLennan described it as “a relatively unusual set of circumstances”.

Calder, a 57-year-old construction site boss, was traced to his home at Straumsey, Seater, Hill of Warse, Canisbay, shortly afterwards and he gave a positive roadside breath test. A follow-up test revealed a blood-alcohol reading of 203mg – the legal limit is 50mg.

Solicitor Willie Young said that Calder had, prior to the accident, been working at the RAF base at Lossiemouth, and described it as “a fairly demanding job”.

On top of that, the accused had been going through “a particularly difficult period” – both his parents had died from vascular dementia, all of which had put a strain on his relationship.

The solicitor said that Calder had gone to a pub a mile from his house and continued: “It had never been his intention to drive home but he met some of his friends and consumed alcohol with them. It was an error of judgement.”

Mr Young added that the accused didn’t know if disqualification would cost him his job but if that happened, he was confident of finding alternative employment.

Sheriff Neil Wilson said that he sympathised with Calder’s situation and personal circumstances but added: “I am sure you don’t need me to tell you that this is a serious matter. You were four times the legal limit, a serious misjudgement on your part.”

Calder was fined £400 and banned from driving for 20 months.