Joiner six times the drink-drive limit in charge of van
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A driver has been convicted of having been in charge of his van while six times the legal drink-drive limit.
Joiner Steven Murray (39) denied the charge but was found guilty after a trial at Wick Sheriff Court.
Murray, a joiner, was on his way home from a contract in Buckie, on January 9, when his vehicle ran out of diesel at Hempriggs and he started drinking.
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Police officers spoke to Murray who failed to co-operate in a roadside breath test.
A follow-up intoximeter test at Wick Police Station, however, revealed a breath-alcohol level of 132mcg - the legal limit is 22mcg.
Murray, of Macleod Road, Wick, was fined £500 on the drunk-in-charge offence and banned from driving for 10 months.
Sheriff Neil Wilson admonished the accused on the breath-test refusal charge, which he admitted.
The sheriff was told that Murray was taking steps to combat a drink problem and he expressed the hope that his efforts would prove successful.
