A firearms officer caught drink driving while attending a conference in Oban has been forced to resign from his job.
Francis Tanner, 59, appeared at the town’s sheriff court yesterday.
The Hamilton man, of Greenfield Road, was employed by the Ministry of Defence at Faslane when he came to Oban on February 4 last year.
He yesterday pleaded guilty to driving in George Street, Oban, while nearly four times the limit.
Sheriff Ruth Anderson banned him from driving for two years and imposed a £500 fine.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said the attention of police was drawn to Tanner when he was driving in front of them and failed to maintain a straight line.
Solicitor Stephen Dryden said Tanner held a very responsible position but “has recently resigned because of this matter”.
He said Tanner had been under a great deal of stress related to family illness and had developed a drink problem as a result.
On the day in question Tanner received a telephone call from his wife to tell him that his brother in law, who died two days later, had suffered a hemorrhage. He made the decision to drive from the Corran Halls to his hotel.
Mr Dryden said Tanner was now taking steps to deal with his alcohol problem.
