Wick drink-drivers at least four times the limit face tough sentence
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Two drink-drivers with a previous conviction could be facing a prison sentence, a sheriff has warned.
Gordon Campbell (57) was said at Wick Sheriff Court this week to have had a blood-alcohol level of 251mg – five times the legal limit of 50mg.
The accused, of Nicolson Street, Wick, pleaded guilty and admitted a previous conviction for the same type of offence. He was arrested by officers in the town's Grant Street, on September 10, last year.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood advised Campbell – who was not represented in court – "in the strongest terms", to engage a solicitor.
In a separate case, John Kershaw (41) was breathalysed positive by police near Hastigrow, on the B876, on June 28, last year. A subsequent test revealed a blood-alcohol reading of 203mg – just over four times the limit.
Kershaw, of Robert Street, Wick, also admitted a previous drink-driving conviction.
In both cases, Sheriff Fleetwood commented that a fine and disqualification might "not be an appropriate sentence".
He took the unusual step in such cases of calling for background reports.
The two accused will be sentenced on May 31.
