DRIVING a car when more than two-and-a-half times the alcohol limit cost David Law a £300 fine and a 16-month disqualification.
Law, 66, of Goldengain, Park View, Wilton Dean, Hawick, admitted driving a car at Dovemount Place, Princes Street and Dickson Street, Hawick, on August 31 with a blood-alcohol reading of 211mgms – the legal limit being 80.
Police stopped Law in Dickson Street after receiving an anonymous call reporting a suspected drink-driver, and he admitted he had consumed alcohol.
“He became unwell after his arrest and was taken to hospital by ambulance. When he was eventually assessed as fit enough to be seen, he provided a reading of 159mgms, but a back-calculation carried out took that to 211mgms,” explained depute pocurator fiscal Kate McGarvey.
Law’s solicitor, Rory Bannerman, said his client had just one speeding offence in a driving record of some 48 years.
“He has taken very much to heart this error of judgement. He didn’t feel unfit to drive, and was simply going around the town, but realises that being two-and-a-half times the limit is a danger,” he concluded.
Sheriff Donald Corke told Law: “It is slightly curious that you didn’t consider yourself under the influence, as clearly a member of the public did.
“It is no excuse that you were just driving round the town and, it seems to me, that you have become blasé about drinking on this occasion.”