Wick driver five times the limit vows to address drink problem after threat of jail
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A five-times-the-limit drink-driver has avoided a jail sentence after being involved in a crash in Wick.
Gordon Campbell was instead fined £1000 and banned from driving for three years at Wick Sheriff Court last week.
Police investigating an early morning road accident in Grant Street, Wick, on September 10, last year, spoke to the 57-year-old, who admitted having been the driver of a car and was breathalysed positive.
Fiscal David Barclay said that there had been a difficulty with the intoximeter normally used for the follow-up test, so a blood sample was taken instead.
It revealed an alcohol level of 251 milligrams – the legal limit is 50 mg.
Advocate Bill Adam said that Campbell, of Nicolson Street, Wick, had "stupidly" decided to drive while unfit through drink. The accused recognised he had issues with excessive drinking and was making a determined effort to ensure there would be no repetition of the offence.
Mr Adam told Sheriff Mark Lindsay that Campbell, who pleaded guilty, had a previous conviction for a similar offence and the fact that a custodial sentence was possible, had "shaken him considerably".
The advocate appealed to the sheriff to step back from that option, saying that Campbell had a good work ethic and had displayed genuine contrition for his actions. A background report stated that the accused was not a risk to the public.
Sheriff Lindsay commented that the alcohol reading was "very high" and at a level where a court would consider a prison sentence.
However, the sheriff said he would not impose such a sentence as there were sufficient mitigating factors including the accused's pledge to address his drinking.
Sheriff Lindsay said that a three-year ban would reflect the high alcohol reading and the fact that Campbell had a previous conviction, although it was incurred some time ago.
The sheriff added he had initially considered a fine of £1500 but had discounted it to one of £1000 in light of Campbell's full acceptance of his guilt.
