Inverness man was almost six times drink-drive limit

A man who drove a car while almost six times over the legal limit for alcohol has been banned from driving for life.

Donald Fraser (56) of Urchal Place, Stratton, was also ordered to carry out 240 hours community work as a direct alternative to custody and take part in an alcohol treatment programme.

Fiscal depute Shay Treanor told Inverness Sheriff Court that Fraser was seen driving into a cul-de-sac at Stuart Court last August 22 at about 8pm and drive forward into a parking spot until the car hit the kerb and came to a stop.

He was then seen to leave the car, lose his balance and stagger back on to the road before he entered a house, unable to walk in a straight line. At about 8.30pm he left the house where a taxi was waiting, but the driver refused to take him.

Mr Treanor said a witness heard bottles clinking in a bag Fraser was carrying, assumed this would be alcohol and the police were contacted.

Officers were shown CCTV footage of the accused driving the car, and he was traced.

His breath count was 128mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mcg.

Solicitor Mark Dickson said: “For most of his adult life alcohol has been a problem for Mr Fraser.”.

Sheriff Gary Aitken told Fraser that given the reading and nature of the offence he was very close to reaching a point where a sentence of custody would be inevitable for any further similar offending. “Given the reading and your record there needs to be something of a significant punitive nature,” he said.