An RAF Lossiemouth serviceman who has only had his driving licence for eight months has been banned from the roads after being caught over the limit behind the wheel.
Mitchel Taylor, who lives on the Moray base, was three times the legal limit when he was stopped by police on May 30.
Yesterday the 23-year-old, who works in logistics for the RAF, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court.
Fiscal Roderick Urquhart said police pulled over the motorist at about 9.45pm near Grampian Furnishers, on the A96 Elgin to Lhanbryde road, after receiving a tip-off.
Solicitor Ben Thom said his client had been drinking the night before, before continuing to consume alcohol on the morning of the offence.
He said: “Mr Taylor attributes the driving to a degree of naivety and inexperience. He has only had his licence for eight months.
“He had stopped drinking at about 4pm or 5pm and did feel fit to drive at the time, but clearly the intoximeter result is as it is.”
Breath tests found Taylor had 76mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is just 22mcg.
Mr Thom said his client had been moved to a “desk job” as a result of the offence and was also facing internal disciplinary action from the RAF.
Taylor was fined £720 and banned from driving for 15 months.