A repeat drink-driver with a history of alcohol abuse has been banned from the roads for five years.
Andrew Hindes was found to be driving almost five times the legal limit in a residential area of Aberdeen.
During a routine police patrol on April 19 this year, officers discovered the 34-year-old was also driving his car without insurance.
Depute fiscal Andrew McMann told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that police could smell alcohol on the self-employed joiner.
He said: “Officers were on mobile patrol when they observed the accused driving his motor vehicle. A police check confirmed there was no insurance policy.
“They noticed the smell of alcohol on him. They conducted a breath test which found him to be almost five times over the legal limit.”
Hindes had a reading of 104mcg in 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 22mcg.
The incident took place at around 6.30pm on Nellfield Place and there was one passenger in the Vauxhall Vectra at the time.
Five-year ban
Hindes previously pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without insurance and a charge of driving under the influence.
Defence agent Shane Campbell told the court that his client has been struggling with an alcohol addiction for “a number of years”.
He said: “Mr Hindes is someone who, strangely enough, has been able to hold down full-time employment. He is, to colloquially describe it, a functioning alcoholic.
“It is quite clear he needs assistance with this ongoing problem. Since his conviction he has taken the first steps by himself to try and combat his addiction.”
Sheriff Eric Brown disqualified Hindes, of Nellfield Place, Aberdeen, from driving for a total of five years, stating he had to take “public safety” into consideration.
He also handed him 160 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 16 months.
Sheriff Brown added: “It is clear from reports that you have a significant alcohol problem, and that is reflected, in part, by the author of the restriction of liberty order assessment suggesting you turned up significantly under the influence for your appointment with this individual.”
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