One of the Queen’s officials in Scotland appeared before a Highland court yesterday (Tuesday) accused of driving at five times the legal alcohol limit and possessing a knife in a public place.
Richard Sidgwick, 72, a deputy lord lieutenant of Inverness-shire, pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing at Fort William Sheriff Court to driving a car on the B8005 road at Achnacarry, at Spean Bridge and elsewhere with a breath-alcohol count of 110. The legal limit is 22.
Sidgwick, of Milestone Hill House, Achnacarry, near Spean Bridge, also denied failing to identify the driver of the vehicle when asked to do so by a police officer at his home.
And he denied a further charge of having a knife with him without reasonable excuse or lawful authority at Fort William police station.
All three offences are alleged to have been committed on May 11 this year.
Sheriff William Taylor continued the charges to a further hearing on Monday August 15.
