Inverness driver caught over almost five times the limit

A 39-year-old machine operator has been fined £840 and banned from driving for 14 months after admitting to being behind the wheel while almost five times the legal limit.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Stephen Burnside, of the city’s Esk Road, gave a reading of 101mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when tested the night before.

The legal limit is 22mcg.

Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told the court that Burnside had been stopped by police at around 11pm in Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness.

Defence solicitor John MacColl told Sheriff Gary Aitken: “It was a short piece of driving but a bad error of judgement.”

Sheriff Aitken certified Burnside as suitable for the drink-drive rehabilitation programme, which he must pay for himself.

If he passes it he will enjoy a 14 week reduction in his disqualification.