Three-year ban and car forfeit for gas plant worker
A gas plant worker has lost his car, been banned from driving for three years and fined £600 after he was caught at more than four times the drink driving limit.
Scaffolder Mark Turley, 27, of School House, Plymouth, set off in his £3,000 car from the Mid Brae Inn last night after a night of drinking.
He drove to the Sella Ness accommodation block with 89 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath – the legal limit is 22 microgrammes.
Turley admitted drink driving when he appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court before honorary sheriff Sandy Cluness.
Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Turley had an analogous previous conviction. He was “clearly drunk” when he left the hotel between half past midnight and 1.30am.
Turley was seen driving off on a CCTV system. He was arrested and taken to the police station. The fiscal also moved for forfeiture of Turley’s car.
Defence agent Richard Donaldson said Turley had been working on Saturday and had a few drinks afterwards.
Turley had little recollection of the incident. He had driven a fairly short distance and the volume of traffic was light given the time of the offence.
Mr Donaldson said Turley had co-operated with the police. “He does regret what he has done. His own words were this was the last thing he had come to Shetland for.”
Mr Donaldson said Turley had wanted to give the car to his girlfriend on his return to Plymouth. Granting forfeiture, he argued, would punish her for the offence, even though it was not her fault.
He said Turley was in a position to pay a fine.
Honorary sheriff Cluness told Turley: “This was four times the limit, which is a considerable amount of alcohol.” He granted the Crown’s motion for forfeiture of the car.
• A Lerwick resident has been released on bail after facing three charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices.
Alan Scollay, 58, appeared in private from custody on petition before honorary sheriff Sandy Cluness.
He made no plea or declaration and was committed for further examination.
