Soldier based at Fort George near got drunk and drove because he was 'in a bad state of mind'

The 20-year-old was pulled over by police after running a red light.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Kyle Innes’s black Audi was spotted by police in Academy Street, Inverness in the early hours of March 22.

He ran a red light and turned into Crown Road at speed, fiscal depute Shamielah Ghafar said.

The police later traced the vehicle leaving a driveway in Auldcastle Road with damage to its front, the prosecutor said.

Innes, of Park Terrace, Broxburn, had collided with a fence in nearby Victoria Terrace.

Innes, based at Fort George, admitted careless driving and driving with excess alcohol.

His reading was 76cmgs of alcohol when the limit is 22mcgs.

He told Sheriff Robert Frazer: “I was in a bad state of mind and I can only apologise.”

Innes was fined a total of £640 and banned from driving for 16 months.

But the sheriff ruled he was eligible to participate in a drink-driver rehabilitation course which he must fund himself.

If he successfully completes the course, he will earn four months off his ban.