A world-famous bagpiper has appeared before sheriffs in Inverness after police caught him drink driving.
The incident occurred at around 8.45pm on November 25, 2021, when witnesses heard a loud noise, prompting them to investigate.
Fiscal Depute Sharon Ralph told the court: “They observed the accused to be staggering. They came to the assumption that the accused was under the influence of alcohol.”
The court then heard that the witnesses watched as the man got into his vehicle and started it up before pulling out of the cul-de-sac.
At this point another witness observed the 46-year-old and “attention was drawn to the manner in which the vehicle was being driven,” said Mrs Ralph.
“Thereafter there was an incident involving the vehicle, which resulted in the vehicle being followed by the witnesses and them alerting police to the fact that the vehicle required to be stopped,” she continued.
When police arrived the piper failed a roadside breath test which prompted his arrest. Subsequent testing found him to have 103mcg alcohol per 100ml breath. The legal limit for drink driving in Scotland is 22mcg, putting him at nearly five times the limit.
Acting on the defendant’s behalf, Cecily Kingston said her client’s actions were “an isolated incident”, adding that he has been driving since the age of 18 with no prior endorsements.
Describing him as a “professional man”, she noted that at the time of the incident he had been going through “a particularly difficult time” before adding: “Thereafter there was an incident involving the vehicle, which resulted in the vehicle being followed by the witnesses and them alerting police to the fact that the vehicle required to be stopped,”
The counsellor also told the court that a driving ban would “directly affect his personal life” as well as impact his ability to assist his elderly parents.
After hearing a guilty plea to drink driving, Sherif Margaret Neilson banned the man from driving for 12 months and imposed a fine of £700.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
