‘Potentially dangerous’ driver who was almost seven times the drink-drive limit is banned

A near seven-times-the-legal-limit drink-driver described as “potentially dangerous” has been put off the road for 15 months.

Ross Wilson was also fined £600 when he appeared for sentence at Wick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old ferry worker previously pleaded guilty to having driven with a breath-alcohol level of 141mcg – the legal limit is 22mcg.

The court was told that Wilson was spotted driving without lights in Thurso town centre, late on April 3, by a concerned motorist who knew him and decided to follow him to warn him.

Fiscal Depute Grant McLennan told the court that the accused left Thurso, on the A9, still without lights, and was seen to swerve and veer onto the opposing carriageway. The motorist continued to follow Wilson and contacted the police.

The motorist encountered Wilson stopped in a passing place and assisted him to a nearby house. Police officers arrived and found the accused who was “clearly intoxicated”.

Wilson, of Craigindarroch, Stemster, Gillock, provided a positive breath test and a subsequent test revealed he was almost seven times the legal limit.

Solicitor Fiona MacDonald said that the accused accepted full responsibility for his actions.

She asked Sheriff David Harvie to deal with Wilson, said to have a drink problem, by way of a fine and a ban.

The sheriff gave the accused credit for his co-operation with the police but commented on the “high alcohol reading for a first offender”.

Sheriff Neil Wilson, who heard the case, initially, and called for a background report, described the accused as “potentially dangerous”.