Drink-driver caught again while disqualified from being at wheel
A self-employed roughcaster who drove with drugs and alcohol in his system twice last year was also a disqualified driver when he was caught by police on the second occasion.
Damien Pawlinski, of Union Street, Inverness appeared for sentence before Sheriff Gary Aitken who was narrowly persuaded not to jail the 33-year-old, despite criticising him for having "a poor attitude towards driving with substances" and having "an exceedingly high breath alcohol level".
Pawlinski's red Transit van was first pulled over by police for going in the wrong direction along Telford Road on to Dunabban Road on March 24, 2024.
Fiscal depute Rowan Marchbank told Inverness Sheriff Court that a saliva test proved positive for cocaine after officers saw a pipe with a white substance in his vehicle. But Pawlinski refused to give a further blood sample after being arrested.
Pawlinski admitted driving with no insurance, no valid driving licence, driving carelessly, failing to provide a sample and possession of the Class A drug.
He also admitted driving with excess alcohol and while banned after his van was again pulled over in Benula Road, Inverness on November 30, 2024.
His reading was 82mcgs of alcohol when the legal limit is 22mcgs.
Defending, Rory Gowans said his client's previous conviction which earned him the ban was "problematic" for him, adding: "But he has stopped drinking - a problem he has had since he was 18. He lost his marriage as a result."
Sheriff Aitken fined Pawlinski £840, placed him under 18 months of social work supervision and ordered him to carry out 160 hours’ of unpaid work as an alternative to prison.
He also disqualified him from driving for four years.
