A soldier who crashed into a fence while more than three times the drink-drive limit has been banned from the roads for 16 months.
Kyle Innes, a serviceman based at Fort George, was spotted running a red light by police in Inverness but when they caught up and stopped him they discovered this was not his only transgression.
Innes, 20, appeared without legal representation to admit drink-driving and driving without due care and attention at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Fiscal depute Shamielah Ghafar told the court that the incident occurred in the early hours of March 26 this year.
She said: “Police were on uniformed mobile patrol. They observed a Black Audi and observed to run a red light and turn right onto Crown Road at speed.”
At this point, the vehicle was lost from view but five minutes later officers spotted it pulling out of a driveway onto Auldcastle Road.
“It was also noted at this time that there was damage to the front of the vehicle,” Ms Ghafar told the court
Drink-drive soldier smelled of alcohol
When police spoke to Innes they noticed a “strong smell of alcohol”.
“He admitted to having drunk alcohol and admitted to having crashed into a fence,” the fiscal depute said.
Subsequent testing revealed Innes to have 76 micrograms of alcohol per millilitre of breath – more than three times the legal limit of 22.
When asked about the incident by Sheriff Robert Frazer, Innes said: “All I can say sir is I was in a bad state of mind in my head. I wasn’t the best of myself at the time all I can do is apologise.”
Sheriff Frazer disqualified Innes from driving for 16 months and fined him £640.
He said: “It is really a high reading that you have. There is no excuse for you drinking alcohol and driving.”
The ban could be reduced by four months if Innes successfully completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
