A 26 year old Nairn man who drove a car while six times over the new drink driving limit was disqualified for five years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
It was the second time Ian McIntosh of 28A Albyn Court had been convicted of a similar offence and it was committed four months after his previous ban had expired.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood told him: “That was also four months after you successfully completed the drink driver’s rehabilitation course which meant you got your licence back early. This offence would normally attract a prison sentence but in view of your comparative lack of record, I am willing to deal with it by a community based disposal and a lengthy ban.”
The court heard that McIntosh was very drunk when he got behind the wheel of a car in Moss-side Brae, Nairn without permission of the owner.
He then drove off and crashed into a fence on April 15 this year. McIntosh then stumbled out of the car, fell and injured his head. He required hospital treatment before being breathalysed and arrested.
Defence lawyer Eilidh Macdonald said: “He is shocked at what he did and not being able to remember anything.”
Sheriff Fleetwood ordered that McIntosh also undergo alcohol treatment and be under social work supervision for two years.