Driver was three times limit

Nov 16 2012 by Colin Rutherford, Kilmarnock Standard

A Stewarton man who drove his girlfriend’s car with an alcohol level three times the legal limit has been banned from the road for two years.

William Parker, 22, of Lothian Road, pleaded guilty to driving in a David Dale Avenue, Stewarton, on November 3 with a breath/alcohol count of 109 microgrammes. The legal maximum is 35.

Jo Cunningham, prosecuting, told Kilmarnock Sheriff Court that it was 10.05am when Parker was stopped by police for a routine check.

Said Ms Cunningham: “They immediately noticed a strong smell of alcohol.

“The reading provided was at 10.41am.”

An agent for Parker said that, although he was at present on benefits, he had secured work in off-shore wind turbine installation.

He was due to go to Newcastle later this week to start a seven-week training course.

The solicitor said that Parker had been out with friends last Friday night and had been drinking.

He then went back to a friend’s house where the drinking continued until 3am.

Parker, she said, had then gone to his girlfriend’s, getting up the following morning around 10am.

“He said he felt fine and went to the local shop in her car to buy some rolls for breakfast,” she said.

“It was at this time that the police approached him.”

The lawyer described Parker as “shocked” to find himself in court.

“It never occurred to him, the morning-after effects of consuming a large amount of alcohol,” she said.

Sheriff David Hall fined Parker £500.

He refused a prosecution move for the forfeiture of the car involved.