Highland delivery driver persuaded to drive despite ‘drinking all night’

Celebrating Christmas proved costly for a delivery driver who drank too much and was then persuaded to go into work to carry goods to Ross-shire customers.

Sam Cumming tried to get the day off but was refused, and he got behind the wheel, only for police to be informed anonymously that he was suspected of drink driving.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that an alert was put out for police patrols to look out for his vehicle and he was stopped at 4.55pm on Boxing Day last year near Conon Bridge.

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The 40-year-old, of Montague Row, Inverness was taken to Burnett Road Police Station for a breath test, but he refused to give it to officers, explaining: "Because I will fail it, I don't see the point."

Cumming, who had two previous drink drive type convictions from around 20 years ago, admitted failing to provide a breath specimen without reasonable excuse and was fined £580. He was also banned from driving for 21 months.

However, now unemployed Cumming, who self-represented, asked Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald to allow him to participate in a drink drive rehabilitation scheme and she agreed.

If he successfully completes it, he will get a five-and-a-half-month reduction in his disqualification.

He told the Sheriff: "I tried to phone in sick. I had been drinking all night."