Gas plant worker banned from driving

A Portuguese worker at Shetland Gas Plant who drove when more than twice over the legal limit was fined and banned at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Mario Alberto de Oliveira Torres, 51, of Rua Ameixoerilas, Barroselas, Portugal, admitted having 88 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when stopped by police on the Esplanade at 3.30am on Sunday.

The court heard that Torres, a construction manager who stays on a barge in the town, could not explain why he had done this.

Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said it was a “big embarrassment” for him and could mean he would lose his job, which pays $10,000 per month.

Honorary sheriff Arnold Duncan disqualified Torres for a year, and fined him £500, which Torres said he would pay within a week.