Drink driver fined £700 and banned for two years

A man discovered over twice the drink driving limit was banned from getting behind the wheel for two years and fined £700 when he appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Jason King, 37, of Goodlad Crescent, Lerwick, admitted driving on Sunday with 80 microgrammes of alcohol in his system – the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Police became concerned by the manner of King’s driving when they spotted his car on South Road at around half-past midnight. They approached him after he parked in Sandveien and carried out the roadside test, which he failed. King had been at the TA Hall in the town, where he had been attending a function.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said King was “extremely ashamed” about the offence. The IT engineer had been working on a temporary contract, but had just been given a permanent position with his employer.

King’s accommodation is tied up with his job, which he could now face losing as a result of the offence. “He will have to negotiate with his employer to see if he can do anything about that,” Mr Allan said.

Sheriff Graeme Napier reduced King’s fine from £1,000 to reflect the early plea. He can also reduce his ban by six months if he completes a drink driving rehabilitation course.

“I’m taking into account the impact this is likely to have on you, but you were driving at twice the limit and it’s simply not acceptable,” the sheriff told him.