Plymouth man five times the drink-drive limit in Wick is jailed

A driver from Plymouth who was caught five-times the drink-drive limit in Wick last year has been jailed for six months.

Stanley Hood pleaded guilty when he appeared from custody via a video link, at Wick Sheriff Court, on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old failed to appear at a previous hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was breathalysed positive by the police in Kinnaird Street, Wick, on October 2 last year, and a further test revealed a breath-alcohol reading of 110 mg – the legal limit is 22 mg.

Sheriff Andrew Berry, who saw a background report, commented on the high reading and said that it would be "wholly inappropriate" if he did anything other than jail Hood.

Outlining the accused's "long list" of previous convictions, totalling 36 charges, at courts in England and Scotland, the sheriff said the offences included multiple drink-driving and other road traffic counts.

Sheriff Berry added: "Your explanation for not turning up at this court is that you couldn't find the means to come here.

"You would have been aware that there was a warrant out for you and steps had to be taken to have you brought here.

"It is clear to me that your enthusiasm for this case is less than obvious."

Hood, of Waterloo Road, Plymouth, was also banned from driving for 18 months and will then require to sit and pass an extended driving test.

The jail sentence was backdated to June 18 when he was arrested.