A drink-driver with an “extremely high” breath alcohol level was seen hitting a kerb and swerving into oncoming traffic.
Matthew Varley had been drinking at home when he received a phone call from an upset friend and decided to drive to be with her.
But witnesses who were concerned about his driving called the police and they found him to be more than five times the drink-drive limit.
Varley, 47, admitted a single drink-driving charge at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Police called to suspected drink-driver
Fiscal depute Robyn Macleod told the court that police officers were alerted to a suspected drink-driver at 10.22pm on June 4.
She said witnesses described the vehicle as “swerving over the road, including into the oncoming traffic” and added that it was seen to hit a kerb.
Police traced the vehicle to Miller Street, where witnesses saw Varley exit the vehicle and enter a property.
When officers found him he was described as “heavily intoxicated, unsteady on his feet, eyes glazed” and with slurred speech.
‘Extremely high’ breath alcohol reading
He failed a breath test and it was determined that his alcohol level was 120micrograms in 100ml of breath – more than five-times the legal limit of 22mcg.
Solicitor Ken Fergusson, for Varley, said his client had been drinking at home and had “no plans to go out” when he received a phone call from a friend who was upset and asking him to visit her.
“He telephoned for a taxi at 9.55pm, but there were no taxis available. He foolishly got behind the wheel of the car and drove,” Mr Fergusson said.
Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald disqualified Varley of Mackintosh Road, Inverness, from driving for 16 months and fined him £520.
She said: “This is really dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol. This is an extremely high reading. You put yourself and others in danger by doing so.”
Sheriff MacDonald also offered him the opportunity to complete a drink-drive rehabilitation course, which, if completed would reduce his period of disqualification by four months.
