Drink-driver crashed into car near Inverness primary school

Police stopped a car in Inverness city centre because of concern for a reported missing person.

They found 25-year-old Ryan Farquhar behind the wheel in the early hours of May 10 and officers quickly realised he was under the influence of alcohol.

However, a further check revealed that Farquhar, of Inshes Mews, Inverness had tested positive for alcohol five months earlier on December 12, last year after he ran into the back of another car near Inshes Primary School junction.

Farquhar appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted both driving under the influence offences. His first reading was over four times the legal limit. The blood test revealed he had 213mcgs of alcohol in his system when the limit is 50mcgs.

The second test showed that he was over three times the limit of alcohol in his breath. The reading was 70mcgs when the limit is 22mcgs.

He also admitted driving without insurance when the first incident took place.

His solicitor Patrick O'Dea told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald: "He was in a low mood. He had received the paperwork for the first offence and had a bit of a mental breakdown.

"He went out to stay with a friend for a few days, but didn't notify anyone and his mother reported him as a missing person. He has now returned his driving licence."

Ordering Farquhar to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, banning him from driving for three years and placing him under a year of social work supervision, the sheriff told him: "You were quite right to hand your licence back. You were a danger to yourself and everyone around."