A forest manager with Forestry Commission Scotland has been banned from driving for two years and fined £750 for driving his work vehicle while more than five times the legal alcohol limit.
Stephen Morgan, 49, of 7 Craig Brown Avenue, Selkirk, yesterday (Wednesday) pleaded guilty at Fort William Sheriff Court to driving with 121mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath on the A82 Fort William to Glasgow road at Onich in Lochaber on November 20 last year – the legal limit is 22.
Fiscal depute Stewart Maciver said he was reported to the police by staff at a hotel when he drove off apparently under the influence of drink and was found by police with the vehicle in the car park of another local hotel.
Stephen Kennedy representing Morgan, said his client, who had been working in the area had driven from Mallaig to find a hotel in the Onich area on the day of the offence.
He added that Morgan admitted he “had an issue” with alcohol that he was trying to address.
Sentencing Morgan, Sheriff Richard Davidson described the reading as “way over the breath alcohol limit”.
He told Morgan: “It is disappointing that you did this at a time when you had a responsibility, not just to yourself and other road users, but also to your employer.
“You are fortunate that you weren’t involved in any accident or caused any damage to any other individual.”