NFU president banned from driving after being over twice the alcohol limit

A farmer who drove at over twice the drink driving limit has been banned for a year and fined £500.

Cecil Eunson, 61, of Griesta Farm in Tingwall, spent the weekend in custody after he was caught with 82 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

The president of the local NFU branch had been driving on the B9074 at Tingwall on Friday evening.

Appearing today from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court Eunson admitted the offence.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said police stopped Eunson after they spotted him driving with a defective light. But they noticed the smell of drink on his breath.

Defence agent Chris Dowle said the offence amounted to a “catastrophe” for Eunson, who had driven his car a short distance in “a moment of madness”.

Mr Dowle said: “He fully accepts this was an extremely foolish and stupid thing to do.”

He said Eunson had held a clean licence for 40 years and held “substantial farming interests” in Tingwall, Whiteness and around Lerwick.

Mr Dowle said: “He is president of the NFU and is meant to be in that position for a further 18 months.”

He said Eunson’s licence was “indispensable” and urged honorary sheriff Arnold Duncan to restrict the length of disqualification.

Sheriff Duncan told Eunson: “I realise the impact this is going to have on your future. I’ve taken into account what Mr Dowle has said, but you were more than twice the legal limit and I’m obliged to disqualify you from driving.”

Eunson can have his ban reduced by three months if he successfully completes a drink driver’s rehabilitation course.