Sheep breeder almost seven times the legal limit while behind the wheel of his car
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A Caithness sheep breeder was found behind the wheel of his car with almost seven times the legal drinks limit – one of the highest to be recorded at Wick Sheriff Court since the new lower level was introduced six years ago.
Leslie Robertson pleaded guilty to having been in charge of the vehicle with excess alcohol when he appeared from custody at the court today.
The 55-year-old from Inkstack Farm, Barrock,will be sentenced next month after Sheriff Andrew Berry considers a background report. The accused is banned from driving meantime.
Police, who received a tip-off, located Robertson sitting in the driving seat of his car with the keys in the ignition in a car park in Meadow Lane, Thurso, on Monday.
Fiscal David Barclay told the court that officers noted a number of bottles in the front passenger footwell of the vehicle and he said: "The accused's words were slurred and there was a strong smell of alcohol."
Robertson was breathalysed positive and the follow-up test revealed a reading of 150 mgs. The legal limit is 22 mgs.
Mr Barclay said: "Robertson stated to the police a number of times that he had been drinking the previous night and could not believe he could still be over the limit."
Addressing the court over a video link, solicitor Patrick O'Dea said that Robertson ran a large flock with the help of two employees. "Like a great number of people in the Highlands, the coronavirus emergency has placed a great burden on him, both financially and practically," he said.
Mr O'Dea said that on the morning of the offence Robertson had a disagreement with his wife and went out and purchased a number of bottles of wine.
The solicitor added: "To allow himself to become so inebriated while in charge of his vehicle was an extremely foolhardy thing to do and he wishes to apologise for his conduct."
Sheriff Berry deferred sentence on Robertson for a report from social workers which will focus on the accused's consumption of alcohol.
The sheriff said it was "highly unlikely" that a reading of 150 mgs could have been achieved by Robertson sitting in his vehicle for "a not very long period of time" and added: "Whether this was a result of a previous night's drinking I am not sure."
Sheriff Berry noted a previous conviction incurred by Robertson, in 2016, for refusing to provide a specimen of breath. The sheriff urged him to be open with social workers as to whether he had a potentially serious issue with regard to his consumption of alcohol, and stressed: "It is important that you are completely honest about it."
The sheriff warned Robertson not to drive in the meantime as, if he did, it would raise the seriousness of his situation to a level that could lead to a custodial sentence.
No motion was made by the fiscal for forfeiture of Robertson's car.
Robertson will return to court for sentence on September 16.